Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6, 36-50
Smoking at School: Views of Turkish University Students
Nazmiye Erdogan and Irfan Erdogan
Abstract:
The recent
interest in cigarette smoking among university students has brought attention
to problems concerning opinions, attitudes, prevention, health education,
policy formulation and implementation. This survey research tested five
hypotheses on the views of college students about smoking in school hallways
and cafeteria, compliance with anti smoking laws, considering cigarette smoking
as an expression of freedom of choice, teachers’ smoking in lassrooms and in
their offices, and school administration’s policy on enforcing the law.
Hypothesized differences between students’ views on the issues according to
gender, smoking status and years at school were investigated. Data were obtained
from 3,659 students attending six universities in Ankara, Turkey. The study findings
provided support for all the hypothesized differences (except a single issue).
Males and females differed significantly on all the issues studied. The
majority of nonsmoking students have anti-smoking views in regards of the
studied issues as compared to regular and occasional smokers. Smokers and
nonsmokers markedly disagree on banning cigarette smoking in the cafeteria and
hallways. However, the majority of students are against teachers’ smoking in
classrooms and in their offices with the doors open. Although most students
want a smoke free environment, there is no active-anti smoking policy on smoking
by universities. Findings point out the need for campus-wide effective smoking
prevention programs, as well as cessation programs and services for the
students.
