Kids With Less Friends May Be More Likely to Become Smokers - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

(KCEN) -- While it may seem like all the "cool" kids are doing it, a new study finds teens who don't have many friends are more likely to smoke.

Researchers in Sweden looked at data collected from more than 2,000 people when they were thirteen and again in their thirties.

They found those who had a low status among their peers as teenagers were more likely to become regular or heavy smokers as adults.

Researchers say unpopular teens may pick up the habit in an effort to get attention or popularity.