Objective: This study aimed to investigate the smoking prevalence and associated factors among the students of Balıkesir University and determine the level of nicotine dependence in smokers. Methods:Six faculties and two graduate schools located at the Balıkesir University campus were enrolled. The cluster method was used as the sampling method. To observe the rates of smoking initiation while studying at the university, first-year and final year students were compared.Results: A total of 1096 students were enrolled, with a mean age of 20.4±2.2 years. The regular smoking prevalence rate was 25.5%, occasional smoking rate was 9.5%, alcohol consumption rate was 28.0%, and drug abuse rate was 5.0%. The mean age for attempting to smoke was 16.6±2.2 years. The leading causes of smoking were curiosity, spiritual space, affection, and to comply with friends. According to the Fagerström questionnaire, the level of nicotine dependence was low in 53.0% of the participants, moderate in 8.7%, and high in 28.4%. The average smoking prevalence rate was 23.6% in first-grade students, whereas it was 44.8% in last-grade students. The factors that influence smoking were as follows: being in the last grade, mother, siblings, and friends who smoke, higher allowance, use of alcohol and drugs. Smoking was found to be more prevalent among males. Conclusion:Last-grade students had a higher smoking prevalence rate than the first-grade students. Family, social environment, and smoking behavior of friends have an influence on smoking. All risk factors, including past history and university period, should be considered together in tobacco control.

The objective of this study was to examine the microbiological and physico-chemical properties of different types of drinking water used. The cross-sectional type study was carried out between January 1 and April 30, 2016. The samples acquired for the study from 50 packages, 50 tap water taps, and 50 residential treatment devices were examined both microbiologically and biochemically. The pH values varied between 5.57 and 8.26. pH values of tap and packaged waters were all determined to be proper, and improperly low pH values were determined in 25 of the samples acquired from the residential treatment devices. It was determined that amounts of fluoride, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, and ammonium were all acceptable. Fluoride amounts were determined to be high at a statistically significant level in packaged and residential treatment device water (p = 0.000). Escherichia coli was determined in 10% of tap water and 2% of packaged water. Microbiological contaminations of the samples collected after the pump-faucet and water fountain were determined to be greater in comparison with those of samples collected directly from packaged waters. It was determined that the residential treatment process is applied more on drinkable waters. The purification of water causes significant physico-chemical changes.