Study surveys secondary school students (N=4,773) about five items concerning the circumstances of smoking initiation: age at first cigarette; source of supply; location of first smoke; persons present; and perceived degree of coercion. Although there was a highly significant gender difference on the item concerning age at first cigarette, with the average for boys lower than that for girls, the remaining items show no gender effects. (Contains 13 references.) (Author/GCP)