Background and purpose: Tobacco use has an increasing trend. This study aimed at comparing the processes of motivation theory in the prediction of tobacco use in male high school students in Noshahr, Iran.

Materials and methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in 440 high school students in Noshahr. The subjects were chosen through stratified random sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of demographic questions and 55 items based on the constructs of protection motivation theory. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire was confirmed. Data analysis was done in SPSS applying Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression tests. 

Results: The processes of coping appraisal (β=0.40) and threat appraisal (β=-0.19) could together predict 22.9% of the will for not using tobacco. The prediction rate of tobacco use behavior by these two processes was 25.6% in which the role of coping appraisal (β=-0.33) was more predominant than that of the threat appraisal (β=0.31).

Conclusion: The present study showed that the cognitive intervening process of coping appraisal is more successful in the prediction of the protection motivation and tobacco use behavior. So, enhancing self-efficacy and efficiency of response and reducing the perceived costs for not using tobacco among the students could be used as a principle that aims at reducing tobacco use.