Factors Influencing Chinese Students' Smoking: The Role of Overseas Study and Social Networks

This study explores how the smoking behaviours of UK-based Chinese students are influenced by their social networks, particularly their friends and family members. It addresses an empirical gap by testing the validity of three social network mechanisms: person-to-person contact, social support, and social stress. Additionally, it examines how studying abroad affects smoking behaviours by comparing these behaviours with those of Chinese students in China. The analysis is based on original survey data from 224 Chinese undergraduate students. The results show significant positive associations between the likelihood of a student smoking and the prevalence of tobacco use among their friends and family members. Students whose friends disapproved of smoking were significantly less likely to be smokers. Among current non-smokers, family members’ approval of smoking increased the likelihood of non-smokers intending to start smoking. This study contributes to identifying the social factors that require the most attention to mitigate university students’ exposure to tobacco consumption.