Smoking among adolescents: quantitative and qualitative analysis of psychosocial factors associated with the decision to Mexican students smoking

Objective. To analyze psychosocial factors associated with the decision to smoke in students 13 to 15 years in Mexico City. Materials and methods. Logistic regression models of Youth Tobacco Survey (n=945) and four Focus Groups (GF) in two secondary schools, conducted in 2011-2012, were used. Results. Factors associated with smoking: a) believe that it is safe (OR=2.4,C195% 1.28-4.7), GF: ability to control over consumption and long-term damage; b) to have at least one smoking parent (OR=1.6, CI95% 1.1-2.3), GF: influence. to start/maintain consumption; c) to have friends who smoke (OR=5.0, CI95% 1.9-13.6), GF: influence to experimentation/ repeat, schools without rules on prohibition and have access to cigarettes (OR=2.1, CI95% 0.9-4.1). Protective factors: a) believe that it is harmful (OR=0.3, CI95% 0.14-0.65), GF: rejection of cohabitation with smokers; b) communication with family (OR=0.5, CI95% 0.36-0.91), GF: appeal to self-care; c) consider is young for smoking (OR=0.2, CI95% 0.12-0.43), GF: knowledge about damage and risk perception. Conclusion. It is necessary to strengthen positive psychosocial skills and strengthen compliance with youth protection legislation.