Prevalence of smoking among medical students and their perception of the risk of passive smoking and the antismoking role of health professionals in a new Medical College

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of smoking among medical students, their perceptions of health professionals antismoking role and risk of passive smoking. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study using anonymous, self-administered questionnaire among all students enrolled in the second semester of the Academic Year 2008/2009. Results: Overall 46.0% of all students had ever smoked and 25.4% were current smokers. Current and ever smoking prevalence was significantly higher among males and senior students. There were no other significant differences according to the other sociodemographics studied. Non smokers have more positive perceptions concerning the antismoking role of health professionals and the risk of passive smoking than smokers, but differences were not significant. The highest perception score among smokers was for the statement that "health professionals should routinely advise patients who smoke to avoid smoking around children". For non smokers the highest was for the statement "Health professionals should routinely ask about their patients smoking habits". The highest perception for both smokers and non smokers regarding the risk of passive smoking was for "passive smoking and lung disease", while the lowest for both was for "passive smoking and neonatal death". Male and first year students gave a significantly lower risk for association of passive smoking and some diseases. Conclusion: Prevalence of smoking is high among medical students, particularly males. Students have favourable attitudes but their perception of the risk of passive smoking on certain diseases needs corrective intervention.