Children's beliefs about smoking.

Children's beliefs about smoking were examined in a multi-ethnic urban sample of 4th through 7th grade children. Results showed that, relative to those in earlier grades, children in higher grades held more positive beliefs about the positive outcomes of smoking and the long-term negative consequences of smoking, but there was no association between grade level and beliefs about the immediate negative consequences of smoking. Children in higher grades also perceived more favorable norms toward smoking. There were few gender or race/ethnicity differences at these ages in children's beliefs about smoking. These outcome and normative beliefs were related to smoking behavior. Of the nine beliefs about the effects of smoking, all but two were significantly related to smoking behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]