Examining the perspectives of Texas minors cited for possession of tobacco.

This study examined the personal experiences of twenty 14-to-19-year-old Texas youth cited for tobacco possession and attending a court-mandated tobacco awareness class. Guided by labeling theory, focus group questions addressed the process of citation, how youth viewed themselves following citation, how parents and peers viewed youth following citation, and youths' views on the purpose and effects of the policy. Many youth felt stupid for being caught or determined that they were unlucky. Parents were upset that youth were caught smoking; however, most knew their children smoked. Peers felt sympathy for cited youth or made fun of them for being caught. Participants felt that the law was in existence to deter younger children from initiating smoking or to encourage older minors to quit smoking. However, youth also indicated that there was no purpose to the law and that instead of decreasing smoking it could lead to its continuation. Implications for practice are discussed.