The Smoking of Male and Female Students at the University Of Jordan, Its Reasons, Harms and Methods of Prevention
Abstract
This study aimed at identifying the social, economic and demographic characteristics of male and female smokers, the causes and effects of smoking, and their awareness about the different methods used to reduce the percentage of smokers, it also suggested some anti-smoking methods. A questionnaire has been designed and distributed on a sample of male and female smoking students at the University of Jordan. The study found that the main reasons of males /females smoking are: bad family relationships between mother, father, and their children, Imitation of other smokers, a way of entertainment, gives self support and stress relief, the result also indicated that the easy reach of cigarettes has a significant effect on enhancing the smoking habit. Regarding the males/ females awareness of the harmful effects of smoking; the study showed that most of them realize its dangerous effects on health, like different kind of diseases, and its effect on human weight and infant's birth weight reduction. The study also showed that most smokers admitted that they have heard, read or saw anti-smoking campaigns, and third of them find it hard to quit smoking, although some of them tried to quit but didn't succeed for reasons such as: family problems, smoking addiction, being surrounded by smokers, having a lot of free time and lacking strong will. Regarding the anti-smoking methods, different methods had been suggested such as: gradual quitting, enforcing regulations that limit smoking like price increase on tobacco products and minimize its availability in markets. The study also showed that most of students' families are against this habit.
The study gives recommendations such as: updating regulations related to smoking, building a long term national anti-smoking strategy, activation of media's role in increasing citizens' health education, working on programs that educate smoking harmful effects and finally increase the family's involvement in the smoking prevention efforts.
