Cigarette smoking among Chinese adolescents and its association with demographic characteristics, social activities, and problem behaviors.

The rate and pattern of cigarette smoking were assessed using data collected in 1991 from 1,040 6th, 8th, and 10th grade youth in Beijing, People's Republic of China. One-fifth of the youth reported having ever smoked cigarettes. The rate of smoking appears to increase with advancing age and is associated with poorer academic performance and participation in unstructured activities and other problem behaviors. In contrast to data from European and United States youth, smoking is significantly more prevalent among males (29%) than among females (11%, p < .0001). The data underscore the need for smoking-prevention programs targeting Chinese early adolescents.