Abstract

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the attitudes and behaviour of Ege University Ataturk Medical Technology Vocational Training School (AMTVTS) students about the new smoking ban.

Material and Method: Among first and second year students taking Public Health courses in 2008-2009 in anesthesist, optician, radiology, medical laboratory and medical documentation programmes of the AMTVTS, 84.2% (n=138) participated in this cross-sectional descriptive survey. A questionnaire was developed using the Ministry of Health's questionnaire and applied just before the application of the smoking ban in cafes and pubs. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used for analyses.

Results: Of the students, 43.7% have never smoked. Women, older and higher-grade students, students in radiology and optician programmes had a higher smoking prevalence (p<0.05). Among students, 83.3% supported the new legislation. 87.6% supported the smoking ban in hospitals, 73.2% in restaurants and 66.0% in coffee houses. 32.6% thought that the law restricted citizens' personal rights. 80.5% thought that it would not be possible to apply the law. Among smokers, 51% supported the law. Non-smokers (OR=4.3), health vocational high school graduates (OR=7.4) and students with no or few friends smoking (OR=6.0) had a higher rate of support (p<0.05). Parents' smoking status did not affect support of the smoking ban. Participants supporting the law went more frequently to malls (87.5%) and would go more frequently to pubs and cafés (96.3%).

Conclusion: The students supported the ban less than the general public. Graduation from health vocational high schools and friends' smoking status significantly affects students' attitudes towards the legislation. Smokers' lack of support for the law warrants the development of interventions. (Tur Toraks Der 2011; 12: 145-52)