However, the level of education of the offspring was more important. When either parent smoked, their child was more likely to eventually smoke. Black men and women were about 1.7 times as likely to smoke if either parent smoked, all other circumstances being similar. White men had about 1.8 times the chance and white women 1.5 times the chance of smoking if either parent smoked. Interestingly, it did not increase the chance of their offspring smoking if both parents smoked.
Most adults are aware of the dangers of smoking.
Therefore, it is unlikely that parents verbally encourage their children to smoke.