If parents establish a no-smoking agreement with their offspring, does this prevent adolescents from smoking? Findings from three Dutch studies

Health Educ Behav. 2009 Aug;36(4):759-76. doi: 10.1177/1090198108330000. Epub 2009 Jan 9.

Abstract

Data from three studies were used to investigate whether the establishment of a no-smoking agreement is related to lower odds of adolescent smoking. The prevalence of a no-smoking agreement was first explored by using a national sample involving 4,501 Dutch adolescents. Second, data from a longitudinal study among 595 early adolescents and their parents were used to test whether establishing a no-smoking agreement prevents adolescents from smoking. Third, the authors tested among 856 early- and mid-adolescents and their parents, whether in addition to the establishment of a no-smoking agreement, the frequency and quality of communication on smoking issues had an effect on adolescent smoking. The findings do not support that establishing a no-smoking agreement is an effective deterrent with regard to adolescent smoking. Parents who want to prevent smoking might consider focusing their efforts on establishing a good quality of communication on smoking issues whereas parents who just talk a lot about smoking issues without considering the quality of their communication might do more harm than good.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Communication
  • Contracts*
  • Culture
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Parenting / psychology*
  • Smoking / psychology
  • Smoking Prevention*