Understanding tobacco use among urban African American adolescents living in public housing communities: A test of problem behavior theory

► We test problem behavior theory to identify predictors of adolescent tobacco use. ► More depressive effect and cause than outcome indicators predicted tobacco use. ► Age positively moderated the effect of attitudes toward tobacco use on tobacco use. ► Behavior system variable (delinquent behavior) predicted adolescent tobacco use. ► However, perceived environment system variables did not predict tobacco use.