RISK FACTORS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF TOBACCO-ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR

Abstract

Addictive smoking behavior often is described as a process involving a series of stages. Because the initation stage is crucial in the acquisition of smoking behavior, the purpose of this article is to describe the most important factors operative at this stage, such as stress, coping, social skills, self-efficacy and attitude changes. Problems posed by programs designed to prevent addictive smoking behavior and methodological and conceptual issues concerning intervention programs and theories of smoking are discussed. Finally, issues related to future research in the area of smoking cessation are considered.