Doctoral Thesis: Reducing cigarette smoking among young women
Supervisors: Professor Neville Owen & Professor Annette Dobson
University: School of Population Health, The University of Queensland

Purpose of the study:
The broad aim of the research program is to identify the determinants of cigarette
smoking among young women aged 18 to 30 years.

More specifically, the objectives are to:
1. describe the patterns of smoking adoption, maintenance of smoking and smoking cessation among women aged 18 to 30 years
2. examine factors associated with the progression to regular smoking among young women
3. examine factors associated with smoking adoption, maintenance of smoking and smoking cessation as young women experience major life-stage transitions (leaving home; employment, college/university; relationship/marriage; and parenthood)
4. explore in more depth, factors and contexts associated with life-stage transitions and their influence on smoking adoption, maintenance of smoking and smoking cessation.

There are two main phases to the study:
Analyses of ALSWH data – patterns and predictors of smoking behaviour
Data from the 1996, 2000 and 2003 surveys of the Younger cohort are being analysed. A descriptive analysis of the patterns of smoking adoption, maintenance of smoking and smoking cessation among women aged 18 to 30 years has been completed. Data analyses currently being completed include an analysis of: a) factors associated with the progression to regular smoking among young women; and, b) factors associated with smoking adoption, maintenance of smoking and smoking cessation as young women experience major life-stage transitions.

Preliminary findings show that the percentage of current smokers across the three surveys appears to remain relatively stable: 24% in 1996; 25% in 2000 and 23% in 2003. While the number of young women who had never smoked decreased from 66% in 1996 to 59% in 2003, the number of ex-smokers increased from 9% in 1996 to 18% in 2003. However, more in-depth analysis tracking the changes in smoking status from Survey 1 to 3 shows greater instability in smoking behaviour for approximately 21% (n=1574) of participants, who moved in and out of smoking over the seven year period between the surveys.

Preliminary findings also highlight the importance of young adulthood as a critical time in the progression to regular smoking. Among women who were daily smokers at Survey 3, 40% (n=594) reported that they started smoking daily at 18 years or older. This ‘late initiation’ of smoking was associated with lifestyle factors such as illicit drug use, alcohol consumption; life-stage factors such as being single and not having children; and educational attainment.

Qualitative study – the role of life transition events in smoking behaviour
Exploratory qualitative research, which aimed to identify life-stage transition events relevant to young women and how they related to smoking behaviour, has been completed. The ALSWH sub-study examined the influence of life-stage transitions on the adoption of cigarette smoking, maintenance of smoking and smoking cessation.

Eighty young women, aged between 24 and 29 years in 2002, were recruited from the Younger cohort. Based on data from the 1996 baseline survey of these young women and the first follow-up survey in 2000, the women were identified by four smoking behaviour categories: 1) never smoked; 2) new adopter; 3) continuing smoker; and 4) quitter. Standardised open-ended telephone interviews were conducted with participants. The telephone interviews explored the participant’s experiences of the influence of each of the major life transitions on their smoking behaviour. The interviews were audio-taped, and transcribed and analysed using qualitative data analysis procedures.
The results identified the social context of smoking (socializing with other smokers, drinking alcohol and going to pubs and clubs) as the predominant influence on smoking from the time young women left home until they settled into a committed relationship or started their own family. Stress was identified as an important factor as young women experienced lifestyle changes. An increased sensitivity to the negative aspects of smoking after turning 21 was reported, and around the mid 20’s they became concerned about the addictive nature of cigarettes and future plans of having children. Motherhood was seen to carry increased responsibilities to ensure children were not exposed to passive smoking and there was a perceived importance of positive role modelling to protect children from becoming smokers themselves.

To contact Liane:
Ms Liane McDermott
Cancer Prevention Research Centre
School of Population Health
The University of Queensland
Herston Road
Herston QLD 4006

Email: L.McDermott@sph.uq.edu.au