Socioeconomic inequalities in smoking among adolescents aged from 15-17

The socioeconomic (SE) inequalities in smoking among adolescents contribute to health inequalities in adulthood. This study aims at verifying the association between SE status and smoking in Portugal, using a group of 1,900 students aged between 14 and 17 from 6 schools. The likelihood of smoking was significantly greater among children of unemployed fathers, and among students with a lower academic performance and a higher personal income. The adolescent's own SE status is more influential than her family's SE condition. Policies must focus the adolescent's situation, by promoting the well-being at school and the integration in the education system.publishersversionpublishe