is a strong predictor of smoking initiation. Identifying mechanisms
that contribute to smoking susceptibility provide information about
early targets for smoking prevention. This study investigated whether
sensitivity to secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) contributes to smoking
susceptibility.
PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Subjects were high-risk, ethnically diverse
8- to 13-year-old subjects who never smoked and who lived with at
least 1 smoker and who participated in a longitudinal SHSe reduction
intervention trial. Reactions (eg, feeling dizzy) to SHSe were
assessed at baseline, and smoking susceptibility was assessed at
baseline and 3 follow-up measurements over 12 months. We examined the
SHSe reaction factor structure, association with demographic
characteristics, and prediction of longitudinal smoking susceptibility
status.
RESULTS: Factor analysis identified "physically unpleasant" and
"pleasant" reaction factors. Reported SHSe reactions did not differ
across gender or family smoking history. More black preteens reported
feeling relaxed and calm, and fewer reported feeling a head rush or
buzz compared with non-Hispanic white and Hispanic white counterparts.
Longitudinally, 8.5% of subjects tracked along the trajectory for high
(versus low) smoking susceptibility. Reporting SHSe as "unpleasant or
gross" predicted a 78% reduction in the probability of being assigned
to the high–smoking susceptibility trajectory (odds ratio: 0.22 [95%
confidence interval: 0.05–0.95]), after covariate adjustment.
CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of SHSe sensitivity is a novel approach to the
study of cigarette initiation etiology and informs prevention
interventions.
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Un Saludo
Jose Galbe
