Factors Related with Tobacco Smoking among College Students: The Application of the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior

Today, the prevalence of tobacco smoking among students is increasing. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the factors related with tobacco smoking among students using extended theory of planned behavior.

This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 360 students of Universities of Malayer city who were selected by stratified random sampling method in 2017. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including demographic variables and constructs of extended theory of planned behavior. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19 software using Pearson correlation, linear regression and logistic regression tests.

Perceived behavioral control (β=-0.402), positive attitude toward smoking (β=0.164), and parenting styles (β=-0.143) predicted behavioral intention, respectively and totally explained 32% of variance of behavioral intention of tobacco smoking (p<0.05). Also, behavioral intention (β=0.135) and perceived behavioral control (β=-0.098) were the most important predictors of tobacco smoking and totally explained 40% of variance of tobacco smoking among students (p<0.05).

The extended theory of planned behavior is appropriate and useful for identifying the factors affecting tobacco smoking. Perceived behavioral control, positive attitude toward smoking, and parenting styles are predictors of behavioral intention, respectively and behavioral intention and perceived behavioral control are predictors of tobacco smoking among students.