Racial difference in the determinants of smoking onset

The large differences in youth smoking behavior across ethnic and racial gr oups are often overlooked in debates about prevention. This study examines how the determinants of the onset of smoking vary by race and ethnicity. Ac ademic success is strongly associated with lower smoking rates among white youth, but this is not as true for Hispanics and African-Americans. Cultura l assimilation may be an important determinant of smoking for Hispanics. Pr ice increases do not appear to reduce smoking onset among white youth, but the results provide some support that higher prices will reduce smoking amo ng Hispanic and African-American youth.