The problem of tobacco smoking among high school students under the survey research
Journal Title: Polish Journal of Public Health - Year 2011, Vol 121, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction. Cigarette smoking by adolescents is still an ongoing problem exerting serious health effects. Despite numerous anti-tobacco campaigns, a great number of new victims fall into the habit. Aim. The problem undertaken in this study was to investigate the scale of smoking among students and comparison of the results obtained to the results of our previous survey research performed among children and teenagers in the same region of Poland. We also aimed at comparing our results to those obtained by other authors in higher education institutions in various regions of the country. Likewise in the other age groups, university students were asked the same questions referring to 9 thematic sections. Material and method. The study involved 344 men and 487 women from the south-east of Poland who were aged 20-25 and studied at universities in Lublin. An anonymous questionnaire was designed. Results. The student survey revealed 34.9% of smoking men and 26.9% of women smokers. The initiation of smoking took place at the age of 5-23. The largest number of students started smoking at the age 13-18. A very high percentage of smokers was constituted by students whose both parents smoke and when the parents are manual workers. The largest percent of students smoke when in company. It was reported that several percent of the students smoke up to 5 cigarettes a day, and less than 5% - more than 20 cigarettes per day. Illness and pregnancy in the case of women students were strong motivation to give up the habit. Conclusions. 1. The example set by smoking friends turned out to play the greatest role in initiation of the habit. However, at the time of study it is the stress associated with that period of students’ lives. 2. Cigarette smoking by students is largely determined by socio-economic factors. 3. Continuation of smoking is primarily related to social reasons. 4. The individuals surveyed exhibited full awareness of the dangers of smoking. Profound knowledge has the greatest impact on the decision to quit the habit.
Authors and Affiliations
Kazimiera Gromysz-Kałkowska, Aneta Unkiewicz-Winiarczyk, Ewa Szubartowska
Keywords
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