Factors influencing the initiation of smoking among Taif University students

Background: Tobacco is a leading source of death worldwide. Objective: estimating the prevalence, age groups, and factors influencing the initiation of smoking and varying types of tobacco. Subjects and methods: 1800 students, 18-24 years of age, from Taif University voluntarily participated in this study. An electronic questionnaire was administered to all students' whatsAap groups at Taif University between May and October 2020. Statistical measures were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS; version 25 for Windows) Results: 1080 students (60%) were non-smokers, while 720 (40%) were smokers. 400 students (55.6%) were males. A significant association existed between gender and smoking as well as (p <= 0.001). Males had a higher percentage of smoking. A significant association was existed between pocket money and smoking (p < 0.006). The most frequent places for smoking was at chalets with friends (64.3%), followed by public places (45.3%), the most frequent factors influencing smoking were friends (27.8%), family problems, and stress (22.2%). Conclusions: Reducing the general population's smoking and educating families by observing the friends of their sons and daughters and implementing strong polices were important to be better role models for juveniles.