Smoking habits of final-year Galician medical students

Smoking habits among final-year Galician medical students have been studied using a questionnaire complying with the recommendations of the W.H.O. and the U.I.C.C. Aspects reported include the prevalence of the smoking habit, the characteristics of smoker, drug and habit, and health problems attributed to smoking. The prevalence rate was high (61.9%); average consumption by smokers was 16 cigarettes/day; most smokers smoked cigarettes with medium-to-high nicotine and medium-to-low tar contents; and the proportion of ex-smokers was small. Smokers were found to be well aware of the dangers of smoking, and their failure to relinquish the habit is attributed to lack of social support. The role of Medical Faculties in the fight against smoking is discussed, and it is suggested that priority should be given to anti-smoking campaigns among secondary school students (14-17 year-olds) and university undergraduates, since 60% of smokers acquired the habit during the former period and 21% during the latter.