The influence of student-level normative, control and behavioral beliefs on staying smoke-free: An application of Ajzen's theory of planned behavior

This study, the first to examine the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in explaining intentions and behavior to remain smoke-free, generated smoke-free related beliefs in adolescents and examined their association to the TPB global constructs (i.e., attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intention, and behavior) 1 month later in a population of intermediate students (N = 214) in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The results showed that intentions to remain smoke-free were significantly predicted by attitudes and PBC, whereas smoke-free behavior was determined by PBC. From a global TPB perspective, PBC appears to be the dominant variable within the TPB framework on which to guide a smoke-free adolescent intervention. These results have the potential to inform new interventions that address remaining smoke-free that are relevant to adolescents. However, the preliminary nature of these findings warrant further study before any firm conclusions can be drawn.