1Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
2Under Graduate Students, Dept. of Community Medicine, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
3Postgraduate, Dept. of Community Medicine, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
*Corresponding author: B Devi Madhavi, Professor & Head, Dept. of Community Medicine, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. Phone: 08942279977(office) Mobile: 09885193506 Fax: 08942279033. Email: drdevimadhavi@redifmail.com
Tobacco use is the single largest cause of preventable death in the world today. Global Youth Tobacco Survey reports an average prevalence of about 10%of ever smoking among the school going youth of age 13–15 years in India.
What are the factors influencing cigarette smoking among youth and their
perceptions about anti-smoking measures.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 359 male college students of Visakhapatnam city selected through convenience sampling using a self administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using MS excel.
The overall prevalence of smoking was found to be 12.8%. Smoking was most prevalent (17.4%) among medical students. Influence by friends (47.3%) was the most common cited response for initiation of smoking. Around 72% of smokers expressed willingness to quit smoking. Nearly 73% of students felt that there was not enough publicity about hazards of smoking. Teaching harmful effects of smoking in schools itself and video-campaigns showing harmful effects, having counseling centers for smoking-prevention were given high scores by the students when asked to suggest effective tobacco control measures.
The study findings indicate that smoking is prevalent among youth in Visakhapatnam and highlights the need for strengthening tobacco control measures.
College Students, India, Male Smoking, Tobacco Control Measures, Visakhapatnam, Youth
