A qualitative study of the smoking-related norms and practices among adolescents

Objective The aim of this paper was to examine smoking-specific norms and practices to understand the meaning of social context for young adolescent’s perception of tobacco use. The analysis of the social context was informed by the Collective Lifestyle framework and draws on concepts like place-based smoking, structure and agency. Methods This paper draws from an ethnographic study of smoking-specific norms and practices. We conducted eight focus group interviews with a total of 44 adolescents and 28 days of field observations among grade 8 students at two Danish schools. Results Our analysis suggests that adolescents’ smoking-related practices and hence meaning of smoking differs according to the social context they engage in. The social context contributes to the way adolescents smoking unfold in specific places by specific groups of adolescents. Herby suggesting that smoking becomes an object contributing to social exclusion. Conclusions Future interventions and tobacco control initiatives targeting young adolescents should consider the meaning of the social context for creating places to practice smoking.