ABSTRACT:
Background/Objectives: Intermittent smokers have low nicotine dependence. However, the frequency of their cigarette smoking gradually increases over time, and most of them become daily smokers. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the increased smoking frequency of intermittent smokers with low nicotine dependence. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This study was a cross-sectional study analyzing data from the 11th survey of the Youth Health Behaviors Online Survey. Factors associated with the smoking frequency of intermittent smokers were found using a complex sample analysis and a logistic regression analysis. Findings: A multivariate analysis was performed on the variables, showing significant differences to a univariate analysis. In middle school students, ‘stress’ and ‘smoking friends’ showed significant differences between experimental and occasional smoking groups. Stress and having friends who smoke are higher risk factors associated with becoming occasional smokers. There was a significant difference regarding’ feelings of despair’ between experimental and occasional high school smokers. Improvements/Applications: For intermittent smokers, the factors that increase the frequency of smoking were emotional factors.