Participants were 957 Asian-American and 3,705 European-American seventh grade adolescents from Los Angeles and San Diego County public schools. Alcohol use was measured by three questions, and cigarette use was measured by two questions. Four groups of variables were used as indicators of social influences related to substance use: perceived adult influence on substance use, perceived peer influence on substance use, family structure, and friendships. Participants were categorized into one of six ethnic categories: European-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, African-Americans, Native Americans, and "other." A subsample of Asian-American and European-American (comparison group) participants were analyzed for this study. The findings show that Asian-American students were less likely to use alcohol and cigarettes and had a more abstinence-promoting environment than European-American adolescents. This difference in Asian-American adolescents appeared to be the result of less adult and peer influence to use alcohol or cigarettes, less offers of alcohol, and an increased likelihood of having an intact family when compared to European-American adolescents. Additionally, Asian-American adolescents reported having fewer friends and spending less time with their friends than European-American adolescents. The study concluded that social influences play an important role in explaining why Asian-American adolescents had lower rates of substance use. 4 tables and 42 references