US: Research Finds Correlation between Generations of Smokers

Source from:  The Exponent  10/11/2013

Purdue faculty examined the impact family smoking has on offspring cigarette use. Studies found that children of smokers had a much higher rate of tobacco use.
 
The relationship between parent, sibling and child cigarette smoking was examined over a 23-year period by Purdue assistant professor of sociology Michael Vuolo.

Parents began the annual examination when they were high school freshmen in 1988 and continued to be studied through 2011. Their smoking frequency was recorded as they aged. The frequency of smoking was divided into four categories.

First, consistent heavy smoking (more than half a pack a day) since high school. Second, light smokers in high school that eventually reduced or quit by 28. Third, those who didn't start smoking until early 20s and continue to smoke. Fourth, were the consistent nonsmokers.

Vuolo and colleagues then began to survey the original subjects' children who were 11 and older. The children of the three smoking groups were found to have a rate of smoking between 23 and 29 percent. The nonsmokers' children had a smoking rate of only 8 percent. Vuolo also found a relationship between siblings' smoking habits on younger children.

"Having an older sibling who smokes increased the chances of a younger sibling smoking by six times," said Vuolo.

The studies found that both parental and sibling smoking matter whether an adolescent smokes.

Purdue student smokers come from many different family backgrounds.

"No one in my family smokes. I just started when I was 18," said Andrew Snyder, a sophomore in the College of Technology.

"I started smoking when I was a senior in high school. My parents don't smoke, but my grandparents did," said Andrew Hogan, a student in the College of Technology.

Voulo continues to research the effect of laws on substance use and the effects it has on individuals. He said the study over smoking and familial influence goes back to his days in graduate school. He has several studies relating to smoking, tobacco control policies and parental and child substance use.

"We are conducting a similar analysis of parental and child alcohol use," said Vuolo. Enditem