<< Epidemiology and Intervention Research Survey evidence indicates that smoking initiation is occurring in younger children. The question therefore is what are the factors in this downwards shift in initiation timing? This question is particularly important as children and adolescents are considered vulnerable groups (biologically and psychologically), and previous research has established that the tobacco industry specifically seeks to benefit from such vulnerability to "seduce" future permanent consumers. In addition, there's still very little known about the ways in which smoking initiation is influenced by social networks and organizations in which the adolescent or child participates. A child’s family, school, and network of friends all contribute to their exposure to favorable or unfavorable messages about smoking. Another important factor—inherent to the vital phase of “adolescence”—is the progressive incorporation of modes and practices that are socially recognized by them as desirable. This study explores the process of smoking initiation and the social factors involved. To gain a more in-depth understanding of the socio-cultural processes involved in smoking initiation in young school students, from five selected Brazilian cities
The study will use qualitative research approaches to study smoking initiation among young school students of five selected Brazilian cities. The research method will include a series of focus groups in the participant schools. In addition, a community scan will be conducted. The narratives collected and the researchers’ personal experiences (fieldnotes and reports) will be thematically analyzed (citation, coding, grouping) using qualitative analytic software (Atlas.TI). The study results will form the basis of several reports, recommendations and scientific papers.
National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 
