Abstract
Few studies have looked at the impact of health promotion campaigns on adolescents or the extent to which adolescents promote anti-smoking messages or are subjected to them by others. Determination of the sources of influence, and the perceived extent of their influence on others, can assist in targeting primary influential groups. A study concerning recognition of anti-smoking campaigns and the attitudes and influences of 18-year-olds (n=937) towards non-smoking was conducted. The main sources of influence came from parents, partners, and self-experience, with general health messages being the major focus. Penetration (reach) of general anti-smoking messages among adolescents was relatively high, although no specific campaign was frequently cited. As anticipated, smokers' attitudes to current smoking issues differed from those of the remainder of the sample. These issues deserve attention in health promotion campaigns, and indicate that the whole social network should be targeted rather than the individual.