Tobacco use among youth and related characteristics, Turkey

Summary.

Objectives

To provide nationally representative data on smoking prevalence of Turkish adolescents; to examine their knowledge, attitude and exposure to tobacco

Methods

A school-based representative survey of adolescents (13–15 years) was conducted within the frame of Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). 15 957 students were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling method and completed an internationally standardized questionnaire on tobacco use and related factors.

Results

About one-third of students had already experienced smoking and 10% were current smokers. Rate of exposure to passive smoking was high both in current smokers (89.0%) and never smokers (79.2%). More than one-third of current smokers had intended to quit. Susceptibility to initiate smoking was fairly high among never smokers, especially in boys (9.1% versus 5.8%). Considerable proportions of both never, and current smokers had positive attitude toward tobacco use. Half of the students had no school curriculum about the effects of tobacco use.

Conclusions

Smoking prevalence among Turkish adolescents is alarmingly high and the gender gap is closing. A relevant legislation is a must for success in tobacco control but should be combined by other effective prevention and cessation programs.