ABSTRACT

Using tobacco is one of the important public health problem. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of smoking among a selected group of medical faculty students and to find out the factors which affect quitting smoking.

This descriptive study is conducted among 414 medical students in October-November 2010. Data were collected with the questionnaire that is formed by researchers after review literature. The questionnaire includes 10 questions and 14 pictures.

Smoking frequency is found 14.3% among students. 43.7% of students stated that the most effective intervention for quit smoking is increasing the price of cigarettes. 33.8% of them implied that smoking ban in some indoor environments is an effective intervention. 10.1% of them stated that the warnings including pictures and texts on cigarette boxes are effective. The most effective picture and warning on boxes is “smoking decreases blood flow and causes sexual impotence” which is stated by 25.4% of the students.

Physician candidates who might be role model in community should consider a priority group on smoking control programs. We think that smoking campaigns might be succesful if it is conducted with support of different groups including governmental and public policy makers.

Keywords: Smoking, Medical Faculty Student, Health.