Warning: The Narratives of Smoking Habits Through the Lens of Adolescent Cigarette Users

Abstract

Cigarette smoking remains a significant public health concern among adolescents despite continuing health-awareness campaigns. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the smoking habits of adolescent cigarette users and documented their lived experiences, influential factors, and insights regarding smoking. Ten adolescent cigarette users residing in Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines, were selected purposively. The participants were 10 to 19 years old and were identified as active cigarette users. Data were gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings generated three major themes and eight sub-themes. Participants described narratives of anxiety and fulfillment, indicating that smoking was perceived as a coping response to emotional distress, social pressures, and personal insecurities, while also being associated with feelings of relaxation, belongingness, and social acceptance. Factors influencing smoking habits were grouped into sociodemographic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Family culture, gender-related expectations, socioeconomic conditions, academic difficulties, social isolation, easy access to tobacco products, and exposure to tobacco advertising emerged from the narratives. The participants also emphasized three important insights: knowing the potential health risks of smoking, exercising self-control, and identifying positive role models. The study concludes that adolescent smoking is a multifaceted phenomenon that requires coordinated prevention and cessation initiatives involving families, schools, communities, health professionals, and policymakers.