Abstract

Smoking is the most important cause of disability, death and preventable illness in Turkey and all over the world. According to the Global Youth Survey, smoking prevalence among young people increased from 9.4% in males and 3.5% in females in 2003 to 10.2% and 5.3% in 2009. Cigarette smoking affects a large part of the society with increasing frequency among young people. Therefore, the tobacco industry targets youth and women. The decrease in the starting age of smoking will cause longer term exposure to the harmful effects of cigarettes. Adolescents start smoking due primarily to a desire to imitate adults, peer pressure, affectation and easy access to cigarettes. Peer group has a great impact on both risky and safe behaviours of an adolescent. Adolescents want to be independent in their behaviours, attitudes and interests. They want to have activities with friends without prior permission and explanation. Peer education aims to use peer influence in the positive way, as peers can be positive models for behaviour. The increase in tobacco consumption among adolescents in the recent years has increased the importance of peer education. The purpose of this article is to explain how to use peer education in changing the cigarette smoking behaviours of adolescents.