PREVALENCE OF SMOKING BEHAVIOR AMONG 10-19 YEARS CHILDREN IN PESHAWAR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52206/jsmc.2014.4.2.546-549Abstract
BACKGROUND: Smoking is a major public health problem and is one of the major preventable causes
of premature deaths and diseases in the world. Fourteen to sixteen year olds are among a vulnerable
group of individuals in society and susceptible to cigarette smoking. The objective was to find out the
prevalence of cigarette smoking in the 10-19 year old students.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four randomly selected public and private
schools of Peshawar in 2014. 500 students between 10 to 19 years participated in the study through
simple random sampling technique. Data was analyzed on Excel.
Result: Of the total 130(26%) smoked and majority belonged to low socioeconomic status. 70(53.84%)
started smoking at the age of 14-16 years. The study revealed that adolescents are adequately aware of
the harms of smoking. Overall the level of awareness was found unsatisfactory. Parents can set a
positive example for their children by not smoking themselves, and keeping their homes smoke-free also
schools can provide tobacco prevention programs to educate students about the dangers of smoking.
Keywords: Smoking, Prevalence, Socioeconomic, Awareness, Initiation.
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