Abstract
Purpose: This study was to provide basic information for preventing high school students from smoking by examining their actual smoking condition and their knowledge and attitude about smoking. Method: The subjects were 515 students selected from six(6), high schools in Jecheon. Data were collected using a questionnaire from the 1st to the 17th of December 2002. The author prepared the tool by modifying the scale of knowledge and attitude about smoking developed by Moon(2001). Data were analyzed with SPSS/WIN program using frequencies, percentages, $x^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA. Duncan test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Result: 1. The percentage of ex-smoking students was 29.9% of male students and 18.6% of female ones. The percentage of currently smoking students was 23.9% of male students and 3.0% of female ones. The percentage of non-smoking students was 46.2% of male students and 78.4% of female ones, 2. There were not significant differences in smoking knowledge according to smoking status in male and female students. 3. There were significant differences in smoking attitude according to smoking status in male(F=32.70, p=.000) and female(F=11.15, p=.000) students. 4. In smoking status according to general characteristics, there were significant differences according to the type of school($x^2$=32.93, p=.000), grade($x^2$=11.91, p=.018), educational level of the father($x^2$=30.52, p=.000) and the mother($x^2$=14.23, p=.027), monthly allowance($x^2$=17.19, p=.028), harmony of family members($x^2$=15.23, p=.019), school life($x^2$=26.96, p=.00l) and school record($x^2$=30.24, p=.000). 5. In smoking status according to smoking-related characteristics, there were significant differences according to experience in cigarette purchase($x^2$=150.04. p=.000), experience in errands for cigarette($x^2$=20.00, p=.000), knowledge of cigarette price($x^2$=72.52, p=.000), close friends' smoking($x^2$=107.41. p=.000) and smoking of brothers and sisters($x^2$=16.97, p=.002). 6. There were significant correlation between knowledge and attitude about smoking in the whole students(r=.337. p=.000), ex-smokers(r=.324. p=.000), non-smokers(r=.369. p=.000) but there was not a significant correlation between knowledge and attitude about smoking in current smokers(r=.128. p=.30l). Conclusion: Smoking prevention education should considered students' smoking status. Current smokers need smoking prevention education aiming to change their attitude toward smoking in order for them to reduce smoking and to practice smoking cessation.