Reasons for smoking among the teenagers of age 14–17 years in Vikarabad town: A cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Md Shakeel Anjum, Madipally Kumar Srikanth, P Parthasarathi Reddy, M Monica, K Yadav Rao, A Sheetal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2016-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry
• Subjects: Causes of smoking; smoking; social factors; teenagers
• Online Access: http://www.jiaphd.org/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2016;volume=14;issue=1;spage=80;epage=83;aulast=Anjum

Background: Despite widespread knowledge of the health consequences, tobacco use, especially smoking is common globally. Most of the youngsters become smokers annually and one-third of them are believed to die due to tobacco use. Aim: To assess the various reasons for smoking among teenagers of age 14–17 years. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted on 384 teenagers to know their views regarding the reasons for smoking habit. A specially designed pretested questionnaire was used for the survey. Results: Majority of 76.4% of the study subjects agreed that smoking habit gives psychological pleasure, 77.5% agreed that smoking starts because of friends, and 65.7% felt that smoking starts as an inspiration for outlook and personality. Conclusion: Various psychological factors, personal factors, and social factors are attached with smoking habit.