The cross-sectional study on the capacity of tobacco control among medical students in Bengbu Medical College

Objective:To investigate the capacity of tobacco control among medical students,and to provide the basis for promoting tobacco control model among medical students.Methods:In a cross-sectional survey,self-administered questionnaires were completed by 864 medical students.Results:The current smoker rate among respondents was 20.3% (175/864),and was higher among male medical students than among female students (31.5% vs 4.2%).There was no significant difference in the current smoker rate of male students among different specialties.But rural respondents were more likely to be current smokers (34.6%) than urban respondents (25.3%).The respondents students were lack of knowledge about smoking hazards:87.8% of medical students knew that smoking increased the risks of lung cancer,but only 30% -40% of respondents knew that smoking increased the risks of heart disease and osteoporosis,and about 50% of respondents agreed with these three myth conceptions:Nicotine is the chemical substance which increases the risks of multiple cancers,smoking low-tar or low-nicotine cigarettes is less harm,the filter can reduce the hazards of smoking.With respect to attitudes towards tobacco control in public places,most medical students did not feel positive:1/3 of respondents supported a total smoking ban in hospitals,schools,workplaces and meeting-rooms,and less than 20% of respondents supported a total smoking ban in waiting rooms,restaurants,KTV rooms,and 12.3% (106/864) of respondents supported a total smoking ban in different public places.Conclusions:The study showed that medical students had deficiencies in their knowledge of smoking-associated adverse effects,the attitude for tobacoo control was not positive,and the capacity of tobacco control among medical students was weak.Since medical students are future health promoters,misconceptions in this regard probably will become a major professional problem.In general,this indicates it is needed for medical schools to put more priorities on developing health education programm and effective intervention plan to enhance the tobacco control ability.