MATOS, Margarida Gaspar de; GASPAR, Tânia; VITORIA, Paulo    CLEMENTE, Manuel Pais. Attitude and behaviour concerning smoking in portuguese adolescents that smoke. []. , 4, 2, pp.205-219. ISSN 1645-0086.

The aim of this project was to study the differences between girls and boys that smoke. Adolescents from 14 to 16 years old, at least occasional smokers (at least one a week) were included. This paper was based on data collected during a qualitative study using focus groups of either girls or boys that smoke (Matos & Gaspar, 2002, in Hublet et al., 2002; Matos, Gaspar, Vitória, & Clemente 2003) trying to clarify this issue of tobacco use in adolescence, namely in what girls are concerned. During focus groups, the more frequent issues were "perceptions", "life style and tobacco use", "dependence", "rules and norms", "behaviours", "quitting", "advantages" and "disadvantages". The present study highlights the importance of using qualitative research in the clarification of special issues raised during quantitative studies, and confirms that adolescents notice gender differences on tobacco use namely behaviours, patterns and social pressure. Implications for preventive interventions are discussed.

: Adolescence; Focus group; Gender; Prevention; Tobacco use.

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