A Study on Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Passive Smoking among Students of East West University

Abstract

Exposure to other people’s tobacco smoking is term as passive smoking. As smoking is very much harmful for health so second hand smoking or passive smoking is also harmful but generally less concern is given on this fact. Our study purpose was to determine the knowledge, attitude and awareness level of university students regarding passive smoking and also assume the reasons behind smoking. A questionnaire was developed based on those facts we wanted to determine and the survey was done on both undergraduate and graduate students of different departments. A total 502 participants responded to the questionnaire. Majority (82%) of the participants have the basic knowledge about passive smoking. Almost (92%) participants considered passive smoking is harmful for their health. Majority (93%) stated that severe breathing problem can occur due to exposure to passive smoking and (78%) of participants believed that passive smoking can cause lung cancer. Significant percentages (90%) of participants have considered that strict law enforcement should be provided and proper knowledge should be provided to reduce the exposure of passive smoking. It can be concluded that knowledge level of the target population was satisfactory regarding passive smoking but as it is done on only one university so the condition in other environment could not able to determine. In spite of that from our study we can decide that proper law enforcement and more seminar and awareness program regarding the severity of passive smoking exposure should help to improve the situation more.