ABSTRACT
Tobacco smoking remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, smoking prevalence remains high among university students despite increasing awareness of its health risks. This study aimed to assess the attitudes, risk factors, and perceptions related to smoking among undergraduate students in Edo State, Nigeria to inform targeted interventions. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 350 undergraduate students across different departments at a tertiary institution in Edo State, Nigeria using a self-administered questionnaire. The sample was selected through a stratified sampling technique. The questionnaire collected data on participants' demographics, smoking status, attitudes, perceptions, and risk factors. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings show 55% of the respondents display positive attitude towards smoking. Peer pressure was identified as the most prevalent risk factor for smoking (34.3%), followed by recreation (17.6%) and stress relief (22.5%). A considerable proportion were current smokers (31.7%) who smoked more than 4 cigarettes per day (44%), indicating high nicotine dependency. More than half (55.9%) had never attempted to quit smoking. Students demonstrated a moderately positive perception of the health risks of smoking (mean 3.1), but misconceptions were common, like believing some tobacco products are less harmful. Conclusion: The study found a complex interplay of positive attitudes, misinformed perceptions, and influential risk factors related to smoking among the undergraduate students. Peer influence, myths about certain tobacco products being safer, and use of smoking for stress relief were major concerns. The findings call for holistic interventions including targeted health education, smoking cessation support services, smoke-free campus policies, and integration of comprehensive smoking curricula into nursing education. Nursing professionals have a crucial role to play in advocating tobacco control policies and shaping a smoke-free culture in academic settings.
Keywords: Smoking, Attitude, Risk factors, Undergraduates
