ATTITUDES OF ASIAN MEDICAL-STUDENTS TOWARDS SMOKING

Background - There have been numerous studies on smoking habits among young adults in developed countries. Similar data from developing coun tries are scanty. Methods - A survey of medical students from one of t he medical colleges in Pakistan assessed their smoking habits and atti tudes towards smoking. In June 1993 a coded survey questionnaire was s ent to each medical student at The Aga Khan Medical University in Kara chi requesting data on their smoking habits, their attitudes towards s moking in various areas of the hospital, and their views about passive smoking and tobacco publicity. Results - Of 324 medical students, 89% responded of whom 11% were current smokers. The incidence of smoking was greater among male students than females (17% versus 4%). The aver age age of initiation of smoking was 17 years and the major influence was friends. There was an increased awareness of harmful effects of sm oking among medical students. Almost all felt that passive smoking was injurious to health. Conclusion - The prevalence of current smokers a mong Asian medical students was found to be 11%. Females smoked less t han their male counterparts. There has been an increased awareness of the hazards of passive smoking among the medical students and most wer e in favour of legislative actions to discourage tobacco advertising.