Pathways and prevention in tobacco use.

This editorial points out that L. Abroms et al. in the article "Psychosocial predictors of smoking trajectories during middle and high school," apply growth mixture modeling. This study included a measure of intention to use, allowing for the identification of a subgroup who expect to smoke in the future but never actually do so. Close examination of this group could be useful in identifying factors that contributed to their not actually taking up smoking. Researchers need to work with practitioners to develop strategies to utilize these new strategies for distinguishing among smoking trajectories.