Causes of Smoking in College Students

This study was aimed at investigating smoking and causes of cigarette smoking among college students of Warsak Road Peshawar. The sample consisted of forty (N=40) students of Warsak Model School and College and Peshawar Public School and College. Average age of the students was 18.7. Among the 100 students, 40 were smokers while 60 were non-smokers. Convenient sampling technique was used for selection of the sample. Structured survey questionnaire was used for data collection. The objectives of the study were To provide an initial estimate on the frequency of cigarette smoking among students of college level on Warsak road Peshawar and explore causes of smoking in these students. Cross-sectional study design was used. The study was a small scale one due to limited financial resources and a short time frame. Students were busy in their annual exams and thus could not fully co-operate. The results revealed the main reasons for smoking were fashion and style, tension due to studies and family problems. Twenty-five (n=25) out of forty (n=40) students smoke more than 2 cigarettes per day. Out of forty (N=40) smoker students twenty-four (n=24) were introduced to smoking by their friends, 10 students by class-fellows, three (n=3) by relatives, one(n=1) by parents, two (n=2) by other people. 54 out of 60 non-smokers agreed that smoking is a bad habit. Cigarette smoking is very common among college students. Further in depth research is recommended to assess the frequency of smoking on a larger scale. Health education and awareness should be promoted in young adults in order to decrease the frequency of smoking