Young people tend to believe that more people smoke than is actually the case. For example, a 2004 study found that over 50 percent of girls and 40 percent of boys thought that half or three-quarters of their peers smoked. In fact, only 11 percent of their peers were smokers. (1)
Research indicates that seeing people around them smoke contributes to young people’s tendency to overestimate the number of smokers. This over-estimation makes it more likely that young people will take up smoking, as they mistakenly believe that smoking is a common activity and ‘everybody does it’.
Smokefree outdoor areas will reduce children and young people’s exposure to smoking, better reflecting actual smoking rates.
References
1. Darling, H., Reeder, A. (2005). Youth Lifestyle Study 2004: High Level Report. Prepared for HSC. Social and Behavioural Research in Cancer Group, University of Otago.