Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Cigarette Smoking Among University Students: A Study From Iran

Abstract To determine the prevalence of cigarette use among college students and to identify correlates of cigarette smoking, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 1750 college students in the city of Kerman, located in southern Iran. The average age of college students was 21.2 ± 2.1 years. A total of 52% participants were female, 92% were single, and 11% (184) were smokers (22% of men and 2.4% of women). The average age of smoking initiation was 15.9 ± 4.5 years. A high association was shown with the use of cigarettes among close friends (odds ratio [OR] = 4.3), alcohol use (OR = 2.95), and being a male (OR = 2.81). Less cigarette use was shown among participants who prayed (OR = 0.52) and those with better academic standing (OR = 0.68). Based up the high prevalence of cigarette use among college students and also taking into account the correlates of cigarette use, gender-specific programs need to be tailored for cigarette use prevention among college students. Keywords prevalence, cigarette, university students, Iran, tobacco, risk factors Based on the estimates done by the World Health Organization, in 2015 cigarette use will cause a 50% more death rate in comparison with HIV/AIDS; and 10% of the world's death rate will be connected to cigarette use. 1 Between 2002 and 2030, death rates in developed countries caused by cigarette use will be decreased by 9%. However, in the developing countries, the existing rate will be doubled. Studies done in developed countries show that the cigarette use trend among college students is on the rise. The results of these studies reveal the fact that during college years, there is a likely period that students will begin smoking. 2 Also, because of the decisive role that the college students play for adolescents and teenagers, cigarette use among college students could directly cause cigarette use outside of academic environment