Factors Effecting Smoking Behavior Among University Students: A Study Conducted in University of Sargodha

Abstract

Smoking has been a significant element of the public health concern in the world especially among the university students who are at the most critical point of tobacco initiation. This paper sets out to investigate the determinants of smoking in the case of students at the University of Sargodha in Pakistan. The study singles out some of the most important socio-demographic, social, and psychological causes of smoking such as gender, age, peer pressure, family smoking status, and stress levels. This study was a quantitative study involving 120 undergraduate students in which data was obtained in the form of a structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that male students are prone to smoking than female students and students in age bracket of 18-23 age group are most likely to smoke. Peer pressure is a big factor affecting smoking with 75% of the students saying that they had smoked in social areas where they saw other students smoking. Moreover, family smoking behavior has a close relationship with smoking behavior of students with 83.3% of students who reported that their family members smoke also reported that they smoke. It was also discovered that stress levels were associated with smoking and the high-stress students were correspondingly more likely to resort to smoking as a coping strategy. The research emphasizes the need to consider the factors, both personal and social in smoking prevention and cessation activities, and to conclude, the interventions should be based on peer and family influence, as well as stress management. The results can be interesting to the further development of the public health policy and practices in the future as they provide a deeper understanding of cultural and social aspects of smoking behavior within the context of the Pakistani university.