Social influence of e-cigarette smoking prevalence on smoking behaviours among high-school teenagers: Microsimulation experiments.

ABSTRACT: The prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has rapidly increased among young people, while conventional cigarette use has decreased in this age group. However, some evidence suggests that e-cigarette use is likely to induce conventional cigarette smoking. The present study explored the social influence of the prevalence of e-cigarette use in the peer network and in the general population as a potential mechanism by which e-cigarette use affects adolescents' overall smoking behaviours. For this purpose, we developed an agent-based model in which young agents repeatedly choose to smoke conventional cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes, or to remain non-smokers. The choice is based on the agent's evaluation of the utility derived from smoking and attitude towards smoking ('openness'),

SUBMITTER: Chao D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6715222 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature