Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Substance Use, cilt.29, sa.5, ss.843-851, 2024 (SSCI)
Background: Medical students are potential role models for the community in tobacco control. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence and dynamics of tobacco smoking among their grades. Methods: A questionnaire prepared in cooperation with the “World Health Organization” was completed online by 697 medical students in 2020 as a randomized cross-sectional study covering all medical school grades. Results: The prevalence of smoking among pre-grade 1 students was 3.3%, while it was 23% in grade-6. The highest prevalence was 31% in grade-2. Of the 135 current smokers, 43% smoked their first cigarette in medical school. “Having smoker best friends” was the most critical factor in starting smoking. Of current smokers, 59.3% want to quit. Only 20.7% of students who tried to quit smoking received professional help. Students took only a 1-hour lecture on tobacco control in the first two years. Conclusion: While there was almost no smoking in pre-grade 1, the high prevalence seen in grade-2 indicates that psychosocial support mechanisms and tobacco control lectures should be developed to prevent students. University administrations should implement adequate programs and increase awareness that will lead to a reduction in diseases in the student population and thus in the general population.