Social competence, leisure time activities, and smoking trajectories among adolescent boys: Data from The Korean Children & Youth Panel Survey

Objectives To identify trajectories and potential predictors of tobacco use patterns among adolescents in Korea and to develop appropriate strategies for the implementation of primary prevention of tobacco use. Methods Tobacco trajectory and associated predictors were analyzed for 1,169 children from sixth (age 11) to tenth (age 15) grades in The Korean Children & Youth Panel Survey from 2012 to 2016. Results The three trajectory of smoking experience was identified: non-smokers (T1; 82.3%), temporary users (T2; 3.4%), and continuous users (T3; 14.3%). Compared with non-smokers, "ever-users" (i.e., T2 and T3) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of having a girlfriend, committing delinquent behaviors, having delinquent friends, having a lesser reading time, dissatisfaction with grades, and being in lower household income. Having delinquent friends, having a lesser reading time, and being in the lowest household income were the significant factors for being continuous users (T3). Conclusion Experiencing delinquent behaviors and lower socioeconomic status might initiate and continue the smoking among adolescents, while smoking experimentation could be shifted by concern about grades and engaging in positive leisure activities. These information can contribute to development of tailored prevention and early cessation programs for adolescents.