European Respiratory Journal | 2019
Evaluation the importance of the warnings on the cigarette packs in the non-smoker and smoker university students
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the current study was to determine the importance of the warnings on the cigarette packs for the physiotherapy and rehabilitation students who are likely to face with the problems caused by the cigarette smoking in the future. Methods: Two hundred and fourty-one volunteer students, studying at the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Division, were enrolled in the study. Socio-demographic features of the students, their characteristics regarding tobacco use, and the points of view about warnings on the cigarette packs were recorded by face-to-face interview method with the assessment form prepared by the researchers. Results: The mean age and body mass index of the participants were 21.15 ± 2.41 years and 21.79 ± 2.65 kg/m2, respectively. Thirty-six students are smokers and the duration of smoking was 3,55 ± 1,64 years. Proportionally, the most important warning on the cigarette packs according to non-smokers was: “Smoking causes lethal lung cancer” (91.2%); according to smokers was: “Smoking during pregnancy gives damage to infant” (80.6%). Proportionally, the most insignificant warning on the cigarette packs according to non-smokers were: “Ask help from health professionals for smoking cessation” (34.1%); according to smokers were: “Death risk at young age” (50%). Conclusion: In terms of importance, it has been observed that the protection of children’s health and disease risk are at the foremost among both groups. Also, the impact of health institutions on smoking cessation was seen insignificant in both groups. We think that more important warnings should be more involved in cigarette packages. Keywords: cigarette packs, warnings, smoking