Introduction
The method utilized in the analysis of the smoking issue among adolescents is a qualitative data collection approach. The given methodological framework seeks to understand the underlying cues that lead teenagers of low and middle-income households to try tobacco smoking. Data collection will occur in the form of questionnaires, which will thoroughly assess the role of tobacco marketing, representation of tobacco smoking in media, the influence of adult smokers, and income-dependent factors that promote such an unhealthy habit development. The approach will enable the research to derive the most critical insight regarding the overall attractiveness of smoking among adolescents.
The primary reason for using the qualitative approach is the fact that there a wide range of studies illustrating the numerical or statistical aspect of the problem. However, there is no to little knowledge of the underlying reasons for teenagers getting involved in smoking addiction. Therefore, this methodological framework will fill the gap in current understanding of tobacco addiction prevalence among adolescents of low and middle-income families. Qualitative data collection will provide a more in-depth and detailed basis for developing possible theories that could set new research directions with more precision. By increasing the general comprehension of the factors that lure adolescents into smoking in the first place, it will be feasible to develop effective prevention programs. The latter will either eliminate or reduce the overall influence of the derived factors on the target group.
Literature Review
In order to build a proper understanding of the subject, it is critical to assess the current literature on the subject. The study suggests that the main predictors and catalyzers of tobacco consumption among adolescents are subjective norms and behavioral willingness (Barati, Allahverdipour, Hidarnia, & Niknami, 2015). In other words, the overall attitude of a teenager and his or her perceived set of behavioral norms dictate whether or not he or she will adhere to the given addictive habit. It is important because it shows that adolescents are easily influenced by their incorrect perception of social norms, which means that the surrounding prevalence of tobacco smoking can greatly promote such behavior. The information in the introduction focuses on the topic of male teenagers, and they are assessed through the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) (Barati et al., 2015). The researchers applied a descriptive-analytical study, which utilized the multistage sampling method. The data was collected through a questionnaire, which was built on the concepts of the willingness model.
Parental and peer influence also require extensive assessment as factors that promote tobacco smoking behavior among the target group. The research indicates that pluralistic ignorance on the danger of nicotine increases drug consumption among teenagers (Jawad et al., 2015). Such ignorance is comprised of a number of elements, such as peer and parent tobacco use, low religiosity, and advertisement (Jawad et al., 2015). The article is relevant to the subject because it reveals more underlying reasons behind cigarette smoking among adolescents. It shows that both parents and peers can have a major impact on the subjects. In addition, exposure to nicotine promoting advertisements can contribute to collective ignorance on the topic. The introduction specifically addresses the problem of water-pipe tobacco smoking and its growing popularity. The method used in the study is a quantitative approach with extensive use of logistics regression models (Jawad et al., 2015). The data was collected through questionnaires that targeted sixth and seventh-grade students.
Moreover, it is critical to consider the overall role of income in a family as a contributing factor in tobacco use. It is stated that socioeconomic status directly affects the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco consumption (Allen et al., 2017). In addition, members of lower and lower-middle income groups were more likely to lead an unhealthy lifestyle in general, which is manifested in poor dieting and an exhibition of a wide range of risk behaviors. The article is important to the subject because it demonstrates that families on the lower end of the socioeconomic status spectrum are more inclined to adhere to nicotine consumption. The introduction outlines that it is a systematic review that assesses one’s socioeconomic status and four harmful risk behaviors, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and alcohol (Allen et al., 2017). The researchers analyzed primary source publications from 1990 to 2015. The data collection method utilized a database review, where the most relevant articles were selected.
One should understand that adolescent smoking prevalence among low and middle-income households occurs due to a specific set of underlying reasons. The current literature indicates that advertisements, parents, and peers heavily influence a teenager’s eagerness to smoke a nicotine product. It was also established that low socioeconomic status is associated with higher use of tobacco products. Therefore, it is important to fill the gap of how low and middle-income families increase smoking among adolescents. It is also vital to analyze the underlying influences in order to design proper preventative measures and set the direction for further research. For example, parents can act as both a facilitation and protection factor of smoking among teenagers (Urrutia-Pereira, Oliano, Aranda, Mallol, & Solé, 2017). In other words, a parent can promote such a habit by setting an example or offer parental guidance to discourage nicotine adherence.
The given area of research is paramount due to the elevated popularity of e-cigarette smoking, such as vaping or heat-not-burn. A study conducted among high school students stated that e-cigarette significantly increases the overall chance that an adolescent will become an active tobacco smoker (Wills et al., 2016). Some forms of nicotine products are becoming highly popular among teenagers due to their youth-targeted advertisement approaches. With such trends at hand, it is critical to understand the underlying influences behind tobacco smoking among youth. This will help to establish the next steps regarding prevention and discouragement. Depending on the nature of the findings of the proposed research, it is possible that media and advertisement plays a major role in nicotine promotion. It is also plausible that adolescents begin to smoke due to parental cues, and thus, parental guidance needs to be promoted through active campaigns. Lastly, there is a probability that the problem occurs due to low socioeconomic status, which means specific government programs can be designed to address the issue.
It is important to establish the main factors in the attraction of tobacco to adolescents, which may be maintaining relationships with peers or a desire to overcome stress. Moreover, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the stress factor may become more pronounced among adolescents, which indicates an increase in mental issues. It should also be noted that a particular teenager may consider smoking as a factor in filling their free time. The data obtained can help in the development of measures to strengthen psychological assistance to adolescents, their enthusiasm for healthy activities, and filling up their free time. In addition, you need to study the opinion of adolescents about the cons of smoking tobacco. It was determined that the prevailing part of adolescents could consider addiction as the main negative factor of smoking. However, for poorer adolescents, material costs may be of particular importance.
The consumption of tobacco products is a real threat at the level of the family, individual, society, state, and, therefore, a threat to national security. The importance of the tobacco problem was repeatedly pointed out by the leaderships of the countries, and the concepts of state policy were developed. Smoking is killing, despite all the research and laws, more and more people. The forms of tobacco use, package designs, and their contents are changing. The level of morbidity associated with the smoking remains unchanged. Even a complete smoking cessation will not make up for the damage that has already been done to health. Therefore, the best way to stay healthy is to completely quit smoking, including passive smoking. Only by paying enough attention to one’s own health, he or she can be sure of a healthy future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the given study will utilize a qualitative methodological framework due to the lack of sufficient data in this area. Such an approach will allow the research to identify the underlying reasons for the prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents of low and middle-income households. On the basis of the current literature, the plausible factors can be found in advertisement and parental or peer influence. In addition, there is evidence that low socioeconomic status directly associated with increased tobacco consumption. Therefore, it is important to fill the gap in knowledge regarding the effect of the latter statement on adolescents.
References
Allen, L., Williams, J., Townsend, N., Mikkelsen, B., Roberts, N., Foster, C., & Wickramasinghe, K. (2017). Socioeconomic status and non-communicable disease behavioural risk factors in low-income and lower-middle-income countries: A systematic review. The Lancet Global Health, 5(3), 277-289.
Barati, M., Allahverdipour, H., Hidarnia, A., & Niknami, S. (2015). Predicting tobacco smoking among male adolescents in Hamadan city, west of Iran in 2014: An application of the prototype willingness model. Journal of Research in Health Sciences, 15(2), 113-118.
Jawad, M., Nakkash, R. T., Mahfoud, Z., Bteddini, D., Haddad, P., & Afifi, R. A. (2015). Parental smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke are associated with waterpipe smoking among youth: Results from a national survey in Lebanon. Public Health, 129(4), 370-376.
Urrutia-Pereira, M., Oliano, V. J., Aranda, C. S., Mallol, J., & Solé, D. (2017). Prevalence and factors associated with smoking among adolescents. Journal of Pediatrics, 93(3), 230-237.
Wills, T. A., Knight, R., Sargent, J. D., Gibbons, F. X., Pagano, I., & Williams, R. J. (2016). Longitudinal study of e-cigarette use and onset of cigarette smoking among high school students in Hawaii. Tobacco Control, 26(1), 34-39.