All issues > Volume 52(4); 2009

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2009;52(4):422-428. Published online April 15, 2009.

A study of adolescent smoking and drinking in Korea

Byung Keun BK Yu¹, Yeon Joung YJ O¹, Jin Chul JC Lee¹, Kee-Hyoung KH Lee¹, Jung Hye JH Min², Sang Hee SH Park¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pediatrics, Hongik General Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Sang Hee SH Park ,Email: shpark@kumc.or.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: Adolescence is a period of growth and development in body structure and physiologic, psychologic, and social functioning. Smoking and drinking in this period are very harmful and may lead to other forms of substance abuse. We surveyed the actual aspects of smoking and drinking among Korean adolescents and analyzed associated factors.
Methods
: A survey was performed among adolescents using a questionnaire about smoking and drinking. Data were collected from students who visited pediatric clinics for routine school examinations from July to November 2007.
Results
: A total of 2,546 adolescents (smoking 1,512; drinking 1,034) participated in the study. The overall smoking and drinking rates were 29.2% and 48.2%, respectively, and the mean age at the first instance of smoking and drinking was 13.8 and 14.1 years, respectively. Among drinking adolescents, 30.1% were offered a drink by their parents, although most adolescents were encouraged to smoke or drink by their friends. Dissatisfaction with family and school life, economic status, and school performance was associated with a higher smoking and drinking rate (P<0.001). Broken families were associated with a high rate of smoking, but peer satisfaction was not related to smoking or drinking. The frequency and amount of smoking and drinking in adolescents were as high as those in adults. Social sanctions seemed insufficient to keep adolescents from smoking and drinking.
Conclusion
: Adolescent smoking and drinking are highly influenced by family and school environments, so more active social sanctions are required, including parental involvement and legislation preventing adolescents from smoking and drinking.

Keywords :Smoking, Alcohol drinking, Adolescent