Cigarette smoking and medical students at King Edward Medical University, Lahore (Pakistan)

Objectives: To observe the frequency of cigarette smoking in medical students of King Edward Medical University and to determine associated variables. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and data was collected through a self administered questionnaire from students at King Edward Medical University. Information about demographic characteristics, smoking status in family, number of cigarettes smoked/day, influence for starting it and use of nicotine replacement therapy was obtained. Duration of study was from April 1 to May 30, 2009. Smoker was defined as a person who, at the time of survey smoked cigarettes either daily or occasionally. Results: Response rate was 65.4%, of these 396 (60.55%) were male and 88(13.45%) were smokers. Smoking was more among the male students than females (p-value < 0.001). The greatest percentage of smokers was in 3rd Year (n=29, 26.85%), majority were of 21-30 years age (n=59, 19.53%), started smoking between 11-20 years (n=48, 54.54%), smoked < 10 cigarettes/day (n=37, 42.04%) and started smoking due to influence of friends (n=53, 60.23%). Majority (n=69, 78.4%) had no intention to quit in the next 6 months. Lack of Incentive (n=32, 36.36%) and Addiction (n=24, 27.27%) were the main reasons for not quitting. Conclusion: Our results showed a substantial trend of cigarette smoking in medical students in Pakistan. Prevalence is more in higher classes. Majority have a smoker in their family and had started smoking under influence of peers and media. They find it relaxing and addictive, hence difficult to quit. Nicotine use was found to be uncommon.