Continuities and changes: teenage smoking and occupational transition

Rates of cigarette smoking among young people in the U.K. remain high and m ay be increasing. However, few studies have explored smoking behaviour duri ng the mid- to late teens. This paper reports the third wave of a longitudi nal study that followed 106 15-year-olds from their last compulsory year at school for 22 months. Using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative meth ods, the study shows that this is a period of considerable flux in smoking behaviour. Becoming a regular smoker is not a straightforward progressive p rocess. The role of friendship groups and social context is highlighted. Sm oking prevention programmes should be developed to meet the needs of young people in this transitional period. (C) 1999 The Association for Profession als in Services for Adolescents.