Awareness on harmful effects of smoking in middle school children

Abstract

Consumption of cigarettes and similar tobacco items and tobacco smoking are the world's largest common preventable of death. Multiple studies have observed that the overall life expectancy of a person dying from tobacco-related illnesses is 15 years quicker than those dying from natural deaths. Hence this study was done to assess the awareness on harmful effects of smoking in middle school children. This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional type of study comprising 100 middle schools aged between 10-15 years in Chennai. A self-administered questionnaire containing 10 questions eliciting information on the awareness of the harmful effects of smoking among middle school students were circulated. The collected responses were tabulated and analysed.95% of students are not smokers and 5% smoke to get pleasure. 94% of students are not aware that smoking causes cancer and it is injurious to health. 68% feel the parental influence and 32% feel peer influence to be the reasons for smoking. 86% were not aware of smoking cessation therapy. The results of this study illustrate the need to increase understanding of the health consequences of smoking in middle school students. In order to promote quitting, especially in rural areas, where rates of education and health literacy are lower and where health services are less available, educational programs are an essential way to increase awareness.