Cigarette Smoking Behavior among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the world. Most cigarettes contain a mixture, or blend, of several types of tobacco from a variety of sources. Cigarette smoking remains a widespread health concern among adolescents and young adults, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. Nursing students, as future healthcare providers, are expected to be role models in tobacco-free living. However, increasing trends in tobacco use among this population are alarming. Objective: To assess the cigarette smoking behavior associated determinants, and cessation efforts among undergraduate nursing students in Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 190 nursing students using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical approval was obtained from the respective institutional review board, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Results: The prevalence of smoking among students was 98.4%, with a mean initiation age of 14.67± 1.50 years. It revealed that 12% of the respondents were current smokers, with a significantly higher prevalence among males. Major contributing factors included peer influence, curiosity, and academic stress. Peer pressure (93%) and family smoking (88.4%) were major determinants. Significant associations were found between peer influence, family smoking, and smoking patterns (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study reveals an alarmingly high prevalence of smoking among nursing students in Bangladesh. These findings highlight the urgent need for culturally relevant, multi-faceted interventions, including family-based education, stricter housing policies, and the integration of tobacco cessation content into course curricula. Implication: The findings suggest an urgent need for smoking cessation programs, awareness campaigns, and policy initiatives within nursing institutions.