The Trend of Smoking-Related Cognition and Its Association with Smoking Behaviors Among Junior High School Students—China,2013–2021

What is already known about this topic?In 2013,31.61%of students perceived quitting smoking as difficult,61.73%considered smoking less attractive,and 73.89%believed that secondhand smoke is definitely harmful to health.What is added by this report?The percentage of students who perceived quitting smoking as difficult increased from 31.61%in 2013 to 38.83%in 2021,while the percentage of students who found smoking less attractive rose from 61.73%to 69.40%.Conversely,there was a decrease in the percentage of students who perceived secondhand smoke as harmful,from 73.89%to 68.46%.An increased awareness of the hazards of secondhand smoke was associated with a reduction in smoking behaviors.What are the implications for public health practice?It is imperative to enhance health education efforts that aim to raise awareness of the hazards of secondhand smoke.