Effects of sex of subject and offerer on cigarette refusals among latino youth

Previous research has indicated sex differences in influences to smoke among young people. Investigating sex differences in responses to cigarette offers may be particularly important because of the crucial role of social influences in acquisition of smoking. The effect of sex of subject and sex of offerer on the content of cigarette refusals was assessed in 235 Latino seventh graders. Using an audiotaped behavioral test, subjects listened to cigarette offers and their responses were recorded and coded for content. Results showed significant two-way sex interactions for most content measures, indicating that boys and girls used different refusal strategies that varied by sex of offerer. In general, boys used refusal strategies differentially by sex of offerer, while girls responded similarly to offers from girls and boys. Results are consistent with other findings that females may be more egalitarian in their interactions with others. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for tobacco use prevention efforts. Key Words: Latino youthsmokingcigarette offer refusalssex differences.