351LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND ADOLESCENT SMOKING: EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF STRUCTURED AND UNSTRUCTURED LEISURE ON SMOKING BEHAVIORS.This study explores the relationship between leisure activities and smoking behaviors among adolescents. Smoking is a leading risk factor for disease burden, particularly among youth, with smoking initiation often occurring during adolescence. Understanding the role of leisure activities in shaping smoking habits can inform effective intervention strategies. The study examined the smoking habits and leisure activity participation of 250 adolescents, focusing on their engagement in various structured and unstructured activities. The results revealed that activities such as socializing on the internet and attending entertainment venues, like discos, were strongly associated with increased smoking, with higher odds of both ever smoking and smoking in the past 30 days. In contrast, engaging in structured leisure activities such as reading, drawing, and participating in cultural life, including visits to theaters or museums, was linked to a lower likelihood of smoking. The study highlights that adolescents involved in unstructured social activities are more likely to smoke, while those participating in hobby-related or structured activities tend to have lower smoking rates. These findings underscore the importance of promoting healthy leisure activities as a preventive measure against smoking initiation. The study contributes valuable insights into the complex relationship between leisure activities and smoking behaviors and suggests that targeted interventions encouraging structured, healthy leisure pursuits could play a key role in reducing smoking among adolescents. Further research is needed to examine the long-term effects of these activities and refine prevention strategies.SureshKumar@gmail.comResearch922019Adolescents, Smoking, Leisure Activities, Structured Leisure, Unstructured Leisure, Risk Factors, Tobacco UseDr. Suresh KumarAssistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Tagore Medical College and Hospital, Rathinamangalam, Chennai – 600127, Tamil Nadu, India.