An Investigation into the Factors Affecting Medical Students’ Attitude Towards Smoking

Background: Tobacco consumption is controlled by various factors including individual, family and social factors. Students, especially those studying medical subjects, as role models for other members in a community, can play a major role in reducing the rate of cigarette smoking. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to determine the factors affecting medical students’ attitude towards smoking. Methods: Survey method was used in this study using questionnaire as the tool for data collection. The statistical population of the study included all students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2017, of whom 300 were selected by systematic sampling method. Results: The results showed smoking tendency among students, higher number of male smokers (M=2.89) compared to girls (M=2.66 and p value 0.05), an effect of dormitory environment on the positive attitude towards smoking, and a high rate of smoking among students who live in dormitory (M=2.71) or bachelor pads (M=3.23) (F=9.359 and p value 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate an increased tendency among medical students to smoke cigarettes plus a positive attitude towards hookah smoking. This research suggest a dire need to educate students in terms of preventing and/or reducing smoking attitude among students.