Smoking Habits Among Male Students at King Saud University

Abstract

155 MALE university students were surveyed at King 1 Saud University for their smoking habits using a self administered questionnaire. 1000 students (86.6% of total) completed the questionnaire correctly. The non- response, incorrect or incomplete information consti tuted 13.4%. Of those who completed the questionnaire correctly 61% were Saudi and 39% were non-Saudi. 60% of the Saudi students and 49% of the non-Saudi students had never smoked before. The rest claimed to be current smokers. Non-Saudi students tend to smoke significantly more than Saudi students. Among both ethnic groups, about 50% of the smokers were in the 20-23 years age group and roughly 60% of them started smoking at between 13 and 18 years of age. Younger students (22 years and less) tend to smoke significantly more than older students. The majority of smokers in both ethnic groups (85-87%) thought about quitting smoking and had made a serious attempt to stop. However, 70% of them resumed smoking within a period ranging from a few days to less than a year. Religious factors persuaded 21.51 % of the Saudi and 32.44% of the non-Saudi students not to smoke (among the non-smoker group). 2.87% non-Saudi and 6.09% of Saudi students attributed stopping to their parents' advice. In only 2.51% (0.90% non-Saudis and 1.61% Saudis) the economic factor was the reason for not smoking. These findings can help in the planning and implementation of anti-smoking programmes.