Factors and concepts associated with the start of cigarette smoking in university students

Abstract

The consumption of tobacco is increasing worldwide, observing increasingly early onset ages. University students are a population to consider, since it is during this period that new consumers appear or consolidate those who already brought the habit.

This study sought to identify the factors and concepts associated with cigarette smoking in students of a University of Pereira; for which a descriptive, observational, prospective study was conducted seeking to characterize the population exposed to consumption and exploring their concepts on the subject, as well as the factors related to the beginning of it.

194 non-smoking and 52 smoking records were obtained, the average age was 19.3 years, where 25.26% had ever smoked. As found in the surveys there are factors that are considered determinants for the onset of consumption within which are emotional problems such as depression (p<0.12) and anxiety disorders (p< 0.23), as well as the consumption of other psychoactive substances (p<0.03).

Factors such as presence of smokers at home (p<0.18), influence of social networks and advertising (p<0.85) were also taken into account. Smokers said they know the deleterious effects of tobacco use, but they show a low motivation to stop the habit. (Richmond test which on average was 5.6 which indicates a moderate motivation to quit smoking, in addition to the Fagestrom Test that resulted in average 3.2).

Contextualizing the problem of tobacco use in the university population is the starting point for implementing social action campaigns that seek to reduce their consumption and therefore reduce their impacts on the patient's health and family and social environment.