A British study of teenage attitudes to smoking has revealed that girls do not start smoking to control weight, as commonly thought, but to appear mature and to attract older boyfriends. The research, carried out at the University of Sussex, found a relationship with smoking behaviour and concern with thinness but that this was extremely small. The main attraction of smoking to youngsters is that it is “cool” and “rebellious”.

Smokers were perceived as being sociable, exciting and party-going, whereas non-smokers were seen as sensible and quiet.’ The teenagers surveyed were well aware of the health risks of smoking but regarded it as cool to have a disregard for “old age” and long-term-health

(Reported in The Independent 24/3/98)