Determinants and attitudes towards smoking among male college students

ABSTRACT

Smoking represents the most readily preventable risk factor for morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed at studying the determinants of and attitudes towards smoking among Saudi college students. Students of Riyadh College of Health Science -male section- [628] participated in the present study, with mean age of 20.71 +/- 2.74 years. All subjects answered adapting Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire prepared by the Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, US. Attitudes towards smoking and their determinants were calculated using Odds ratio and confidence interval. Anthropometric measurements [weight, height, waist and hip circumference and BMI] were measured. Weight, height and BMI were similar in smokers and non-smokers. Waist and hip circumference were significantly lower among smokers [P=0.003 and 0.03 respectively]. Fathers' smoking, smoker friends, cigarette advertisement., feeling comfortable in gatherings, tension and curiosity were significant determinants of smoking. 74.36% of smokers think smoking should be banned from public places. 71.37% want to stop smoking and about two thirds saw antismoking media messages and pro-cigarette ads on billboards and in newspapers in the past 30 days. Smokers had lower Waist and hip circumference. About three fourth of smokers think smoking should be banned from public places and want to stop smoking. Strict enforcement of regulations pertaining to cigarette advertisement in any form, enabling environment and community interventions focusing on parents and peers are essential for effective control of tobacco problem: