Introduction and objective:
Young adults demonstrate the highest prevalence of cigarette and e-cigarette use which justifies conducting research in attempt to identify correlates of the use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The aim of the study was to compare predictors related to smoking susceptibility among adolescents in four Eastern and Southern European countries.

Material and methods:
The latest data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), obtained from Latvia (2019), Moldova (2019), Montenegro (2018), and San Marino (2018) were subject to analysis. The research tool was a standardized, anonymous survey questionnaire, consisting of basic questions regarding socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence of tobacco smoking, knowledge and attitudes of young people about and to smoking, access to cigarettes, the role of advertising and the media in tobacco smoking.

Results:
Nearly one-third of young adults were prone to smoking in San Marino and a one-fourth in Latvia. In all four analyzed countries, exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) in public places was a predictor of vulnerability to tobacco use (OR 1.4 – 1.79; p<0.01 in Montenegro; p<0.001 in Moldova). In three analyzed countries, the correlates were: exposure to SHS at home (OR 1.31; p<0.05 in Latvia; 1.51; p<0.01 in Moldova; 1.91; p<0.01 in San Marino), the feeling of comfort (OR 1.59; p< 0.001 in Latvia; 1.45; p< 0.01 in Moldova; 1.41; p< 0.01 in Montenegro), and the opinion that a smoker can easily quit smoking (OR 1.39; p< 0.05 in Latvia; 1.84; p< 0.001 in Moldova; 1.4; p<0.05 in Montenegro).

Conclusions:
Political factors (observance of smoking bans in public places and homes) were strongly correlated with tobacco use susceptibility. These results should induce governments to intensify interventions to encourage tobacco-free homes, and control smoking bans in public places.