RESULT AND DISCUSSIONThe aim of the study was to know the different reasons behind starting smoking and continuing smoking amongst the age group of 18-25 years. Demographic data of participants gender, age, education and smoking status are characterized in table 1. Table 1. Demographic information Frequency Percentage (%)Gender: Male Female 3238 45.
7154.28Age: 18 to 20 years 21 to 23 years Above 24 322810 45.714014.28Education: Undergraduate Postgraduate Diploma Others 4623-01 65.7132.
851.42Smoking status Non-smoker Smoker Male smoker Female smoker 41291514 58.5741.4251.7248.27Tried smoking Never smoked Once or twice 3011 73.
1726.82In the present study 32 (45.71%) were males and 38 (54.28%) were females. Table 1 also shows the distribution of the respondents in different age groups: 32(45.71%) belong to the age group of 18-20 years, 28(40%) belong to the age group of 21-23 years and 10 (14.28%) reported above 24 years of age. Majority of the respondents were undergraduate.
According to the data analysis majority of the respondents were non-smokers 41 (58.57%) and 29 (41.42%) smokers. Among these 15 (51.72%) males smoking once or twice. and 14(48.82%) females.
About 30(73.17%) respondents had never tried or experimented smoking and 11(26.82%) respondents triedTable 1.1 statistical analysis Males (n=15) Females (n=14)Average of smoking age 20.6 20.9 T test( smoking age) 0.358159Table 1.1 depicts that average smoking age of males were 20.
6 and females were 20.9. males and females smoking age t-test is 0.358159 this shows there is no significance in the age of male and female.Table 2 reasons to start smoking and continue smoking Parameters smoker(n= 29) Non-smoker (n= 41)Reasons for initiating smoking:CuriousDepressed/stressedpeer impactfashionableMedia exposureLoneliness and anger No. % 09 31.0310 34.4810 34.
48 No. %02 4.8712 41.3705 12.1918 43.9002 4.8702 4.
87Reasons for continuing smoking:AddictedLooks fashionable or coolBecause all friends doReleases stressGives pleasureDepressionRelieves boredomOther reasons 08 27.5805 17.2401 3.
4408 27.5806 20.68–01 3.44 20 40.7807 17.07-01 2.
4303 7.3107 17.0703 7.31Table 2 shows the reasons for smoking, whereby it was examined that among smokers 31.
03% smokers agreed that they started smoking out of their curiosity, 34.48% started because they are depressed ,34.28% smoked due to peer influence and among Non-smokers chose; 4.87% curious, 41.
37% depressed , 12.19% selected peer influence , 43.90% reported fashion , 4.
87% by media exposure and 4.87% respondents claimed that people feel angry or lonely which results in smoking .Another parameter focused of reasons for continuing smoking whereby it was examined that among smokers, 08% chose addicted, 27.
58 % found smoking fashionable or cool, 05% claimed that they smoke because their friends do it, 17.24% quoted that smoking release stress whereas non -smokers quoted that people mostly smoke as a result of addiction and total of 40% non- smokers selected the said reason, 17.07% non -smoked addressed that smokers think it looks fashionable.Table 3 Different smoking behaviour among smokers (n = 29) frequency Percentage (%)• Duration of smoking Few months Few years • Number of cigarettes per day Only one 2-4 5-7 8-10 More than 10• Tried to quit smoking Yes no 200901120604061811 68.
9612.853.4441.3720.6813.7920.6862.
0637.93Table 3 shows smoking behaviour among the smokers, after data analysis it was found that 68.96% smokers started smoking from few months, and 12.85 % are smoking from few years. 3.44% smokers smoke one cigarettes in a day, 41.37% smoke 2-4 cigarettes, 20.68% smokes 5-7 pipes, 13.
79% smoke 8-10 cigarettes and 20.68% smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day. 62.06% smokers tried quit smoking while as 37.93% did not even try to quit smoking.Table 4 Different smoking experiences of the smokers (n =29) Frequency Percentage (%)• Pleasure feeling• Good taste in mouth• Bad taste in mouth• Relaxed feeling• An increase in concentration• Decrease in stress• Decrease in appetite 21 12 12 21 13 1507 72.
4141.3741.3772.4144.
8251.7224.13According to data analysis, 72.41% respondents quoted that smoking is a pleasure feeling, 41.37 % addressed that it tastes good , 41.37% selected Bad taste in mouth , 72.41 % said its a relaxed feeling , 44.
82% selected an increase in concentration , 51.72% selected decrease in stress and 24.13 % selected decrease in appetite .Table 5 family smoking status (n = 70) Frequency Percentage (%)Smoking family Non- smoking family 1852 25.7174.
28Rules about smoking in home Allowed Not allowed 0961 12.8587.14Family members discourage for smoking Yes No 6406 91.
428.57Table 5 shows the family smoking status. 25.71% respondents belonged to smoking family whereas 74.28% respondents were from Non-Smoking family. 12.
85% respondents are allowed to smoke at home but 87.14% are not allowed at all. 91.42% respondents quoted that their family members discourage for smoking where as 8.57 % answered that their families do no discourage smokingTable 6 awareness and views towards smoking (n = 70) Frequency Percentage(%)Aware of passive smoking 70 100Aware of negative health impacts 70 100Hear or see anti-smoking messages: Never Sometimes A lot Don’t know 06263701 8.
5737.1452.851.42Anti-smoking advertisements have an impact Yes No Little bit 302713 42.8538.
5718.57Type of campaign would encourage smokers:awareness programme in schools and collegescounselling more advertisements (showing bad examples)workshops high rates through films(play, nukad natak etc)don’t know 07081503040429 1011.421.424.285.715.
7141.42Smoking should be banned Yes No 5515 78.5721.42Table 6 shows the awareness and opinion of the respondents towards smoking. 70(100) reported that they are aware of passive smoking and negative health impacts of smoking. About 30(42.
85) gave their opinion that anti- smoking advertisements have an impact.According to the data analysis,100% respondents were aware of passive smoking, 100% individuals were aware or adverse health effects of smoking. The respondents were asked whether they saw or ever heard anti-smoking messages; 8.57% selected “never”, 37.14% selected “sometimes” 52.85% selected “a lot” and 1.42% selected “don’t know”.42% respondents believed that anti- smoking ads have an impact, 38.5% believe that there is no impact of such ads ,18.57% believe that there is a little bit impact of smoking ads on smokers.At the time of data collection, the respondents were asked of some campaigns to be started in order to overcome smoking issue where by 10% respondents selected awareness programme in schools and colleges, 11.4% selected “counselling” , 21.42% selected “more advertisements (showing bad examples)” ,4.42% selected workshops , 5.71% selected “through films” and 41.42% respondents selected an option “don’t know”.The end part of the survey concentrated on the question whether smoking should be banned? 78.57% respondents carefully chosen that it should be banned however only 21.42% wanted that smoking should not be banned.
