ACTA FAC. MED. NAISS. 2007; 24 (1): 27-32

   Original article

Regina Żuralska, Aleksandra Gaworska–Krzemińska, Tomasz Bandurski, Dariusz Świetlik

Medical University, Gdańsk, Poland

In Poland, tobacco smoking among youth is a social issue. It is a considerable problem in upper secondary schools. Health protection professionals, in particular doctors and nurses, play a material role in the promotion of a tobacco smoke-free lifestyle. The involvement of educational professionals in the prophylaxis would also be beneficial as they may play the role of a bridge between students and health service professionals.

The research was aimed at the identification and diagnosis of tobacco smoking among upper secondary school students in Gdańsk and to offer education strategies preparing youth for change of a lifestyle.

The research was based on a diagnostic survey. The research technique was an anonymous survey. It was conducted on approximately 500 randomly selected students aged 17-19 years. The study was carried out at the beginning of 2006. The analysed independent variables were age, sex, financial status of the family. Statistical analysis was performed with the help of the Chi-square test for independence, with a significance level of 0.05. Fifty percent of smoking students aged 17, every third student aged 18 and 14% of students aged 19 smoke from 1 to 3 cigarettes a day. Approximately, 40%of the students aged 19 smoke up to 20 cigarettes a day. Agrowing tendency in the use of tobacco smoking among students aged 17-19 years is a reason for concern and a proof of the weakness of prevention activities at school. Therefore, it seems necessary to make sure that health service professionals are involved in cooperation with educational professionals in order to change young people's attitudes and beliefs.

Key words: tobacco smoking, youth, aged 17-19 years