Background & Objective: Previous studies have suggested that early smoking initiation predicts the duration of smoking, its daily consumption and increased chances of nicotine dependence. The peresent study was an attempt to determine the psychological predictors of transition in different stages of cigarette smoking.

Methods: A total of 1132 students in 45 school classes were assesed two times, 8 months apart (Age range: 14-19). The subjects filled out a questionaire about cigarrete consumption behavior and predictor variables. 8 menths later they completed a second questionnaire regarding the cigarette consumption. The data were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results: Among non-smokers, using alcohol was a predictor of experimenter smoker whereas positive attitude toward smoking predicted regular smoker. Drug abuse and positive attitude toward smoking set out to be strong predictors of transmission from experimenter smoker to regular smoker.

Conclusion: Smoking prevention should begin during and before high school period. This study may support interventions that aim at changing high-risk behaviors.

 Background & Objectives: Authorities and scholars believe that determining cigarette smoking status of individuals and groups and finding reasons of smoking plays an important role in manipulating and facing with this dirty habit. The present study is an attempt to determine the rate of prevalence and the causes inducing smoking among students of Ardabil university of medical sciences.

 Methods:�This survey was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Of 1300 medical sciences students, 1106 ones volunteered to participate in this study. The data were collected using a questionnaire and were analyzed in SPSS.

 Results: 154 students (13.9%) had experienced cigarette smoking previously and 82 students (7.2%) were already a smoker. Intimacy with smokers, self-gratification and acquiring enjoyment, educational failures, vague future career and smoking for entertainment were the most important factors inducing smoking.

 Conclusion: Cigarette smoking prevalence rate in this study was relatively low in comparison with similar studies. However, regarding the critical social status of these students, some serious measures should be taken to inform them about the dangers of smoking and at the some time some facilities should be provided for students, which can be of great help in this regard.