Disease Control and Prevention

Economic Factors

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), young adults from backgrounds with lower socioeconomic positions, including those living in single-parent households, have a high likelihood of initiation into smoking. Low socioeconomic status in families is associated with high levels of stress associated with unemployment, job loss, finances. Therefore, families in low socioeconomic backgrounds have a high probability of engaging in tobacco smoking due to the aforementioned factors. Young adults from these families might be exposed to smoking behavior at an early age, thus increasing the risk of initiation and tobacco use. The study by Cui et al. (2019) also indicated that young adults who are likely to have more money while at school have a high probability of engaging in smoking behavior. Young adults with money feel that they can afford the tobacco products and therefore are tempted to trying them. Cui et al. (2019) indicated that students having more pocket money at their disposal are more likely to initiate tobacco smoking behavior. They feel they have the purchasing power to try out the things they watch on T.V. and other social media platforms.

Additionally, mass media plays a significant role in influencing smoking among young adults by marketing and advertising tobacco products as a routine activity. As a result, young adults are tempted to try these substances. According to Cui et al. (2019), the tobacco manufacturers and marketers have adopted marketing approaches that inspire introduction and experimentation in smoking behavior and make young adults become established smokers. The tobacco industry has predominantly played an active role in incorporating tobacco marketing into young adults’ social and work environments.  In efforts to increase sales, the tobacco manufacturers and marketers are progressively employing more decentralized marketing strategies, including alternate media to reach young adults as their potential markets and evade advertising constraints (Cui et al., 2019). Young adults in the transitional stage may be more likely to fall for marketing strategies and try tobacco products.

Social Factors

The study by De Castilhos Teixeiraa et al. (2017) found that maternal emotional and social care serves as a shielding element, thus lowering the possibility of substance abuse. Failure of parents to exercise positive influence by approving smoking, not being part of their children’s free time, not conversing health issues with children, and failing to encourage them on academic achievement may act as a risk factor to substance abuse. Soneji et al. (2020) indicated that peer pressure/influence is one of the primary contributing factors to tobacco initiation and use among teenagers. According to So et al. (2019), the first incidents of tobacco smoking often occur with peers who subsequently offer experimentation reinforcements, expectations, and cues. Teenagers with little social support have a high likelihood of engaging in substance abuse, including initiation and tobacco use.

The study by Stanton et al. (2020) indicated that social behaviors also play a significant part in substance abuse involvement during adolescence attributed to emotional and self-independence. Teenagers are more susceptible to risky activities and behaviors, including tobacco use, during the transition. According to Ranabhat et al. (2019), most young adults attracted to smoking behavior believe that tobacco can help boost self-image and self-esteem; hence, it can be a substance or mechanism to ensure self-enhancement. Additionally, Stanton et al. (2020) indicated that a lack of confidence to resist tobacco offers from peers could be a risk factor for experimentation, initiation, and actual use of the drug.

According to Buettner-Schmidt et al. (2019), tobacco usage among young adults differs by urban status. Based on this study, adolescents and teenagers in rural communities are more likely to initiate and use tobacco likened to their counterparts in urban areas due to the societal norms within these different communities. Rural life is usually linked to being cowboys or rodeos, whereby people engaging in particular activities such as playing baseball are associated with tobacco smoking. Smoking behavior is also linked to some level of being tough and macho. Such activities create a social normative situation that increases the likelihood of initiating and using tobacco to fit in or mirror the societal norms. Also, Buettner-Schmidt et al. (2019) indicated that rural areas often have small, insular communities whereby all people have close connections and are knowledgeable of others’ actions. As a result, adolescents and teenagers can easily access and use tobacco products from other members of society (adults). In such communities, tobacco smoking is considered a normal activity hence not restricted based on age.