This study observed that students’ perception of either smoking among closed friend,
teachers, or other family members had substantially strong effect on their smoking behavior.
In addition, adolescent smokers also possessed positive attitude towards smoking as a symbol
of manhood and adulthood, which may have contributed to their continual smoking habits.
These results were consistent with several previous studies including a study in Argentina
(Morello et al., 1997) reporting that current smoking in high school students was associated
with having a best friend who smokes, having positive attitudes and beliefs towards smoking
and having a positive intention to smoke within the next year. A study in Chiangmai
(Suwanteerangkul, 2000) also reported that family conflict, poor school performance, and
having a smoking friend were positively associated with smoking