FREQUENCY OF CIGARETTE AND SHEESHA SMOKING AMONG STUDENTS OF A PRIVATE MEDICAL COLLEGE

Objective: To determine the frequency of cigarette and sheesha smoking among students of a private medical college. Methodology: This study was conducted at Islamabad Medical and Dental college, Islamabad from April to September, 2013. A close ended questionnaire was administered to find out the frequency of cigarette and sheesha smoking among medical students and their knowledge about hazards of smoking. Results: In this cross sectional survey, 255 MBBS students from Islamabad Medical and Dental college, Islamabad were selected. The mean age of students was 21.83 ±1.657 years. The frequency of cigarette smoking was 33%, sheesha smoking 36%, and smoking of both was 24.3%. There were 16(6%) students who were ex-smokers of cigarette, 4% of sheesha and 1.6% of both. Greater part of students 32(12.5%) smoke 6 -10 cigarettes per day. Parents of 42 (34.7%) students know about their smoking. Majority of the students 45 (17.6%) started smoking just for fun or 25 (9.8%) to release stress. The main cause of quitting smoking in 15 (39.5%) students was medical advice or due to advice by elders in 11 (28.9%) students. 226 (88.6%) students had awareness about the ill effects of smoking. According to the bulk of students 105 (41.2%) the most effective way to control smoking epidemic is health education. Some students 46 (18%) had an opinion of high tax on cigarettes and 27 (10.6%) compulsory pictorial warnings on cigarette packs. Conclusion: Sheesha and cigarette smoking is very popular among medical students. Most of the students know about hazards of sheesha smoking.