[Smoking Prevalence in High School Students in the Barcelona Region (De Osona District)]

The socio-cultural setting influences youth smoking and its prevalence presumibly has decreased.

To assess smoking prevalence in high school students, as well as the environmental influence on its onset in the Osona Disrtict of Barcelona (ODB), and to determine whether it has decreased.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on high school students in the ODB. In the anonymous questionnaire it was sked asked about smoking and the influence of the social and cultural setting on its onset.

A total of 842 students participated, with 714 questionnaires completed, of which 705 were included as valid. A total of 203 (93.5%) students lived in an urban setting. There were 159 smoker students and 62% were women. The smokers were 70 (44%) christians, 3 (1.9%) muslims, 14 (8.%) students with other religions, and 72 (45.3%) non-denominational students. It was detected that 529 (76.3%) of the students consumed alcohol consumers, and 308 (46.5%) consumed other substances. There were 40 (61%) students that suffered a disease, and also 334 students who had ill relatives. There were 207 (29.4%) fathers and 152 (22%) mothers who smoked and 214 (59%) students declared family smoking. Finally 582 (82.6%) had smoker friends. Among fathers, 212 (30.1%), had high level studies, 331 (48.7%) had mid- level studies, and 137 (20.1%) fathers had primary studies. Among mothers, it was 279 (39.6%), 294 (41.7%), and 116 (16.5%). respectively. Being a smoker was associated with alcohol (P=.000) and other substances consumption (P=.000), being non-denominational (P=.000), did not to suffer any disease (P=.043), with having mother (P=.001), father (P=.005), brother or sister (P=.006), and family members (P=.016) who smoked, and smoker friends (P=.000).

smoking prevalence in high school students in the ODB is high, but has decreased. Smoking was associated with alcohol and consumption of other substances, being non-denominational, and with friends, parents, and relatives who smoked. It is necessary to establish prevention programs addressed to teenagers, parents and teachers.