The investigation of factors effecting smoking addiction levels of nursing students

Introduction
This study aims to determine nursing students’ level of nicotine addiction and to exhibit factors influencing it.
Method
Descriptive study was conducted on students of Atatürk University School of Nursing. Data were collected in spring academic term of 2007-2008 education year. Without sampling, 311 (87.1 %) of 357 nursing students who have been receiving education were included. Demographic Information Form and Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Test were used for data collection. Formal permission from School of Nursing and verbal approval from participants were obtained.
Results                                             
It was found that 12.9 % (n=40) of the students were smokers. Sophomores had the highest proportion of smokers with 15.4 %. Students’ average age is 20.9. 62.5% of the smoker students have light nicotine addiction. 70% of them reported to have started smoking before they entered into university, 46.5% of them reported to have started smoking because of friend affairs and 34.8% of them reported to continue smoking because of stress related to classes. When only smoker group was investigated, there wasn’t found a statistically significant relation between  level of income, suffering from health problem, having a smoker in the family, and level of nicotine dependency (p>0.05). The students who smoke 11 cigarettes or more per day have significantly higher level of nicotine dependency (p<0.05). When all students were included, there was not found a significant difference in smoking addiction level in terms of average age, level of income and residence (p<0.05). The students whose mother’s education level is primary school or lower smoke less and those whose  fathers’ education level is secondary school or higher smoke more (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Pre-university period is a critical period for starting smoking. Parent’s education level is an effective factor for smoking.