Factors associated with intention to smoke cigarettes among never smoker school going adolescents in Zambia

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking intention is a strong predictor of cigarette smoking initiation. There is limited data on predictors of cigarette smoking intentions among adolescents in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with cigarettes smoking intentions among never-smoked adolescents. METHODS: The study utilized the Zambia 2011 Global Youth Tobacco Survey dataset on adolescents. RESULTS: Being in grade nine compared to grade seven (AOR 0.43, 95%CI 0.23-0.82). Having a smoking father (AOR 2.38, 95%CI 1.25-453) mother (AOR 11.77, 95%CI 4.16-33.33), or both parents (AOR 7.05, 95%CI 2.91-17.10) showed significantly higher chance of having smoking intentions than having non-smoker parents. Also, having some (AOR 1.97, 95%CI 1.12-3.47), most (AOR 5.37, 95%CI 2.82-10.25), or all (AOR 3.75, 95%CI 1.64-8.56) smoker close friend was significantly associated with smoking intention compared to having none-smoker friends. Being around others who smoked in out-door places 1-2 days (AOR 2.16, 95%CI 1.19-3.93), 5-6 days (AOR 3.21, 95%CI 1.51-6.83) and 7 days/week (AOR 2.73, 95%CI 1.41-5.30) were also associated with one's intention to smoke cigarettes compared to not being around smokers in outdoor public places 7 days/week. CONCLUSION: Having smoking parents, smoking friends or around people who smoke in public places were associated with cigarette smoking intentions among adolescents.