The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Background: The short- and long-term consequences and addiction potential of tobacco use by adolescents are increasingly being recognised in South Africa. However, few studies have been conducted on smoking cessation among young people in South Africa and other parts of Africa. There are numerous capacity-related challenges with respect to conducting tobacco use research among adolescents in South Africa. Objectives: To determine socio-demographic and psycho-social predictors of intentions to stop smoking. Methodology: A household study was conducted among 736 male and female adolescents in Johannesburg, South Africa. Participants for this study comprised current smokers. A questionnaire was used. The dependent variable was having a intention to stop smoking. Independent variables were socio-demographic and psycho-social factors.

Results: About half (51%) of the current smokers indicated an intention to stop smoking, one third reported not wanting to stop smoking, and just under one fifth reported already having stopped smoking. The main predictors of an intention to stop smoking were appreciation of tobacco laws in South Africa, and demographic (i.e. socio-economic status), individual (i.e. continuing to smoke for recreational reasons, and quitting attempts), peer (cigarette use), and cultural factors (perceived cultural norms regarding smoking). Implications Policies and programmes seeking to encourage smoking cessation among adolescents should take into account the specific individual, demographic and peer-related factors that may promote or hinder a desire to stop smoking. Better understanding of cultural factors that may promote smoking cessation may enhance the development of effective policy and programmatic interventions for adolescent smoking cessation in South Africa.