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Nicotine & Tobacco Research Advance Access published online on June 15, 2009
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, doi:10.1093/ntr/ntp096
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Relationship between physical activity and type of smoking behavior among adolescents and young adults in Cyprus

Marianna Charilaou, Maria Karekla, Marios Constantinou and Steve Price

Marianna Charilaou, M.A., Department of Psychology, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Maria Karekla, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus, and Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychology, Nicosia, Cyprus
Marios Constantinou, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus, and Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychology, Nicosia, Cyprus
Steve Price, M.A., Department of Psychology, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

Corresponding Author: Maria Karekla, Ph.D., Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Nicosia, Stavrou 18, Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus. Telephone: +357-99378676; Fax: +357-22428029; E-mail: mkarekla{at}gmail.com


  Abstract

Introduction: Research suggests that physical activity protects against youth smoking. As a result, prevention programs that focus on physical activity to address the problem of smoking hold promise. However, more research is needed to examine the relationship between physical activity and smoking and how physical activity might be used in smoking prevention and intervention programs. The present study examined the relationship between physical activity and smoking among adolescents and young adults using a sample from Cyprus. We investigated the association between level of physical activity (very active, active, moderately active, or inactive) and type of smoking behavior (nonsmoker; occasional, regular light, or regular heavy smoker).

Methods: Participants were 1,390 Cypriot adolescents and young adults who completed a packet of questionnaires related to smoking and physical activity. Physical activity and demographic factors were analyzed in terms of their effect on smoking behavior.

Results: A consistent and negative relationship between physical activity and smoking emerged across both sex and age. The greater the intensity of youths’ physical activity, the less likely they were to smoke. Compared with inactive individuals, physically active individuals smoked fewer cigarettes and were more likely to be nonsmokers or occasional smokers. Among physically active individuals, those engaging in more intense activity were less likely to be heavy or light smokers.

Discussion: Results of the present study indicate that physical activity may be used as a preventive measure against smoking in adolescents and young adults.

Received: October 22, 2008; Accepted: March 1, 2009
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