Smoking habits among 5th and 6th degree medical students

Abstract

Smoking is the most common cause of preventable mortality and morbidity worldwide. In the fight against tobacco physicians take active role. The objective of this study is to determine the rate and patterns of tobacco use among students of Marmara University School of Medicine (MUSM). This is a cross sectional study carried out in MUSM. The study population were all students studying in the 5th and 6th grades. Data were collected through questionnaires. The questionnaire form included sociodemographics, tobacco usepatterns, quitting attitudes and experiences. Among 410 students, 328 participated. Among all 56.1% were 5th year and 43.9% were 6th year students. The median age was 24 and 55.8% were female. 22.6% of the participants were current smoker. 33.8% of males and 13.7% of females are smoking (p:0,001). Common reasons for starting to smoke were the influence of close friends (11.3%), curosity (8.2%), stress (4.6%). Of the participants, 8.5% had smoked waterpipe. 28.4% of the current smokers still smoke waterpipe, 46.2% had tried to quit more than once and 13.5% wished to quit but had never tried to quit. 40.2% of the participants whose close friend smokes and %44.4 whose partner smokes are current smokers (p:0.001). %70 of current smokers tried at least one time electronic cigarette (p:0.001). Approximately one fourt of the students are current smokers, higher in men. Those who smoked cigarettes had high affinity for waterpipe, electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarette is fast rising trend daily. Starting smoking and quitting is influenced by close friends and partners. Key messages The primary goal should be to stop the smokers and prevent the start of the smokers. Information should be made on the harms of electronic cigarettes and the community should be informed.