[Characteristics of factors associated with risk of future smoking among high school students: toward a consideration of more effective education for smoking prevention].

This study aimed to develop more effective smoking prevention education in high schools by analyzing differences in factors related to smoking, such as recognition of dangers among the three groups at risk of future smoking.The research was conducted by surveying 747 first year high school students (311 boys and 436 girls) in 4 high schools from 3 prefectures in the Kinki area. The questionnaire used covered sex, smoking behavior, future smoking intention, confidence to refuse pressure to smoke, knowledge concerning smoking, recognition of the dangers of smoking, subjective morality, self-esteem, relationship with smokers and intention to encourage others to stop smoking. The subjects were classified into three groups according to the risk of future smoking stratified by the intention to smoke in the future and smoking behavior at the present and in the past. Differences in each item between groups were examined by the chi square test, ANOVA, and multiple comparisons.In the high risk group, the following were observed: low confidence in refusing cigarettes, strong tendencies to romanticize smoking and conceived beneficial effects, low subjective morality and low intention to encourage others to stop smoking. Moreover, girls tended to be more positive than boys regarding all items except self-esteem. In addition, there were significant differences between the low risk group and the high risk group and between the low risk group and the middle risk group in all items except self-esteem. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the middle risk group and the high risk group about knowledge concerning smoking, and intention to encourage others to stop smoking.The results suggested similar tendencies for middle risk group and high risk group students for knowledge concerning smoking, recognition concerning smoking and intention to encourage others to stop smoking. Because the middle risk group accounts for about 20 percent of all students, it is necessary to consider the features of this group when developing additions to the current materials for smoking prevention classes in high schools.