ABSTRACT
This report focuses on change over time in tobacco use among adolescents in countries included in the Eastern Mediterranean Region [EMR] of the World Health Organization. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey [GYTS] was conducted in each site at least twice between 1999 and 2007. Results indicate that for students aged 13-15 years tobacco use is a major public health problem. Increase in the use of water pipe, the likely initiation of smoking by never smokers, and a potential increase in tobacco use among young girls was found in most of the EMR sites. The results from the GYTS can be used by all of the EMR countries involved to set their tobacco control programme and policy agenda
Subject(s)
Humans , Adolescent , Male , Female , Students , Schools , Smoking , Smoking Cessation , Health SurveysABSTRACT
We report the results of the 2005 Global Youth Tobacco Survey in Lebanon which investigated the self-reported attitudes and behaviours related to tobacco among 3314 Lebanese schoolchildren aged 13-15 years. Current use of any tobacco product was 60.1%; the use of cigarettes was 10% and other tobacco products 59% with male predominance in all areas. About 80% of students lived in homes where others smoked. About 60% of current smokers wanted to quit smoking and 51% of all students had learned about the effects of tobacco in class. Over a quarter [27%] thought that boys who smoke have more friends and 17% believed that smoking makes boys more attractive. The majority of students had been exposed to both anti-smoking media messages and pro-smoking advertisements