Prevalence and Determinants of Non-daily Smoking Among Iranian University Students: A Web-based Survey

Abstract

Background: Compared to non-smokers, non-daily smokers (NDS) experience a higher level of health risks associated to smoking. However, the most of them do not consider themselves as smokers. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of NDS and its predictors among students. Methods: This web-based study was conducted in Tabriz, Iran, from July to August, 2019. In total, 3666 students were randomly selected from all universities in Tabriz in proportion to the number of students in each university. Data were collected applying an online questionnaire. NDS predictors were assessed using logistic regression model. Results: A total of 15.7% and 7.8% of the students were daily and NDS, respectively. Compared to the non-smokers, the NDSs were more likely to present high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.96, Confidence Interval (CI) 95%: 2.12-4.13), alcohol consumption (OR = 2.54, CI 95%: 1.78-3.62), and experience of hookah smoking (OR = 9.30, CI 95%: 6.06-14.25) and its regular use (OR = 24.22, CI 95%: 14.86-39.46). The predictors of NDS were female gender (OR = 6.25, CI 95%: 4.57-10.14), denying of being a smoker (OR = 11.69, CI 95%: 6.86-19.91), not being addicted to nicotine (OR = 10.02, CI 95%: 4.21-23.85), and with no effort to quit smoking in the recent months (OR = 2.27, CI 95%: 1.28-4.04). Conclusion: NDSs, due to their characteristics such as not considering themselves as smokers, lack of intention to quit smoking, and showing high-risk behaviors, should be paid attention by health policy makers while planning smoking cessation programs.