TY - JOUR T1 - Survey on smoking among students of the medical school of medicine & pharmacy in Agadir-Morocco JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2020.1381 VL - 56 IS - suppl 64 SP - 1381 AU - Fatiha Bounoua AU - Khadija Aitnasser AU - Houda Moubachir AU - Hind Serhane Y1 - 2020/09/07 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/56/suppl_64/1381.abstract N2 - Introduction: In Morocco, smoking prevalence is estimated at 18% among Moroccans aged 15 years old. The aim of this work is to determine the prevalence, behaviours and attitudes of medical students towards tobacco, as well as their perception of their role in tobacco control.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by sending by mail a questionnaire to medical students from the first to the fourth year.Results: The prevalence of smoking was 14.1% with a male predominance. The proportion of smokers increases significantly depending on the year of study, from 20% in the first year to 50% in the fourth year, and also depending on age, from 10% for students between 17 and 19 years old, to 23.4% for students between 20 and 22 years old. The majority of the students smoked industrial cigarettes with filter. Ex-smokers represent 1.4% of the total enrolment. 55.6% of the students had already tried to quit smoking and 33.3% plan to quit in 5 years. Sputum is the most frequently reported symptom by smokers with a percentage of 66.6%. Almost 48.5% of students smoked their first cigarette by curiosity. 90% of the students plan to warn their patients about the risks of smoking, but only 52.4% plan to do so systematically even in the absence of smoking-related illnesses. The students unanimously agree on the application of legislative measures to reduce smoking, and 14.1% are aware of the existence of the Moroccan anti-smoking law.Conclusion: we insist on the need to develop a practical module dedicated to future general practitioners concerning smoking and the different methods to help people stop smoking and also to support rigorous legislative measures to reduce smoking exposure.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 1381.This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only). ER -