Current smoking practices among Jordanian college students: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Tobacco Control
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Smoking remains a significant public health issue globally, particularly among young adults.
• Understanding smoking prevalence and attitudes in university populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Jordan faces challenges in tobacco control, necessitating research into student behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess smoking rates among university students in Jordan.
• To investigate student attitudes towards tobacco policies and knowledge of smoking hazards.
• To identify cessation methods employed by former smokers.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study surveyed 296 students at the University of Jordan.
• Data collected included smoking status, reasons for quitting, and cessation methods.
• Statistical analysis was used to interpret the findings.

Main Results:

• 26.9% of students were current smokers, 2.8% were former smokers, and 70.3% had never smoked.
• Health concerns were the primary motivator for quitting (63.6%).
• Common cessation methods included quitting 'cold turkey' (66.7%) and gradual reduction (33.3%).
• Never/former smokers demonstrated higher knowledge of tobacco's health effects and a greater perceived need for tobacco policies.

Conclusions:

• University students in Jordan exhibit significant smoking rates.
• Health education and robust tobacco policies are essential for addressing student smoking.
• Cessation support tailored to student needs, including understanding preferred methods, is recommended.