The findings show that the participants in our small sample of Sri Lankan immigrant
adolescents attached similar negative values to smoking, arising from their perceived social
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norms and cultural contexts. These values appeared to protect them against smoking
uptake. However, differences were found among male and female adolescents’ perceptions
about the reasons their peers smoked. Female participants saw peers’ smoking as a way to
solve stress and other personal problems. Headen et al. (1991) and Markham et al. (2001)
found similar results and suggested appropriate facilitation of self and community related
support are needed for combating negative emotions among females. On the other hand,
male participants saw peers’ smoking as a way to be cool and popular. Markham et al.
(2004) and Spruijt-Metz et al. (2004) stated that male adolescents associate peer smoking
with better socialisation and are often at high risk of smoking uptake. They suggested a
range of options should be available for shared tasks and socialising.