According to a number of students, ______is the main factor for early-age smoking.

There have been a number of studies on smoking among the young.(18)In general, it has been found that many of the children living in an environment in which adults or other children smoke begin experimenting with smoking at a fairly early age.(19)Some go no further than experimenting. In some cases, a long period goes by before the youngsters return to smoking. But for some, there is a fairly rapid progression through three stages. These three stages are: occasional smoking on relatively infrequent special occasions: two, fairly frequent smoking as the social and other occasions for smoking increase: and finally, three, regular smoking, usually characterized by carrying cigarettes. Studies on the characteristics that distinguish smokers from non-smokers have found four patterns.(20)First, smoking is commoner in children whose parents smoke and in children who have older brothers or sisters who smoke. Second is a pattern of low achievement. Smoking is commoner among children who do less well at school and set themselves lower goals than among children who do well in school and set themselves higher goals. Third is a pattern of peer group influences. Smokers tend to associate with other smokers.
    Finally, there is some indication that smoking for some children is a symbol of independence and rebellion against the requirements set either by the family or by their peer group.