The Functional Value of Smoking and Nonsmoking from the Perspective of American Indian Youth

Abstract
In spite of having the highest rate of smoking among major racial/ethnic groups in the U.S., very little research has been conducted on the initiation of smoking among American Indians. This research used focus groups to explore the functional value of smoking and nonsmoking from the perspective of American Indian youth. For smokers, the functional value of smoking was associated with peers, mood, image, addiction, family, and sensory pleasure. For nonsmokers, the functional value of nonsmoking was related to sensory aspects, health consequences, physical performance, physiologic response, and family. Subtleties associated with each of these themes highlight the complexity of designing interventions to prevent American Indian youth from smoking.