Risk factor
Previous research has examined the differential effects various influences can have at different stages of smoking. Connectedness to one's family, and being a member of a Hispanic or Asian ethnic group, were found to be protective against smoking across never smokers, experimenters, and regular smokers. Risk factors across all three smoking status’ included maternal smoking or greater depressive symptoms. Maternal smoking may be a greater risk factor among daughters than sons. An additional major risk factor is alcohol use, which has been demonstrated as being more influential during the earlier stages of smoking. Research shows that smoking and alcohol use often co-occur in adolescents.