The relationship between smoker and nonsmoker prototypes and smoking status among 14-year-old Norwegians

The present study examined adolescents' perception of three smoking targets: a typical boy who smokes, a typical girl who smokes, and a typical nonsmoker, using 12 characteristics. Data were collected nationally from school classes among 14-year-old Norwegians in 2001 (N = 2153). Factor analysis indicated three correlated factors (Social attraction, Positive, and Negative) across the prototypes, but only the Social attraction scale had satisfactory reliability (Cronbach's alpha > 0.70). In addition, results show that the nonsmoker prototype may represent a goal state for nonsmokers when based on all three subscales, whereas for smokers, the prototypical smoker only represented a goal state for the Social attraction scale. Implications of the findings and methodological considerations are discussed.