Background: A key influence on youth smoking is the ability to purchase tobacco products. Adolescent smoking and cigarette purchase are positively associated with the amount of pocket money received. Parents and guardians are the most important source of disposable income for children and influence their use of money. We investigated youth's experiences related to their disposable income and the purchase of cigarettes.

Method: We used a parallel culturally appropriate youth focused design to conduct 12 focus groups with Maori, Pacific Island, Asian and New Zealand European youth aged 11 to 15 years. Ethnically matched senior college students were trained and facilitated the focus groups. They were supported by researchers from the same ethnicities.

Results: Students all reported receiving money from parents as well as other sources. They said their parents were more likely to monitor their use of large sums of money, but they retained personal control of small amounts. Students said cigarettes could be bought from dairies by young people. Youth also traded cigarettes among themselves and said they could easily 'scab' cigarettes from adult smokers. Single cigarettes cost as little as 50 cents each.

Conclusions: Parents are more likely to monitor children's management of large sums of money. The amount of money students had was not a barrier to buying cigarettes. Adults give and sell young people cigarettes.

Implications: Adults should be strongly discouraged from providing cigarettes to young people. Parents can be encouraged to monitor their children's use of small amounts of money to discourage cigarette purchase.