Tobacco Use and Its Relationship with Second-Hand Smoke, and Some Affecting Factors in Adolescents in Qom in 2019: A Descriptive Study

Globally tobacco use is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Starting to smoke during adolescence has its own risks.The aim of this study was to determine the status of tobacco use and its relationship with second-hand smoke, access and advertising in adolescents of Qom in 2019.

The present descriptive study was performed on 823 students in the first and second grades of secondary school in Qom. The data collection tool was the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) questionnaire in the form of self-report. Sampling was performed by multi-stage random clustering. Data were analyzed using chi-square test.

The prevalence of tobacco use was 22.1% (177 cases). The highest exposure to second-hand smoke was 52.9% (430 cases) for "exposure to second-hand smoke in public". Of all current tobacco users, 64.8% (35 cases) had access to tobacco through stores and shops. Overall, 34.3% (278 cases) of students were exposed to tobacco advertisements in tobacco shops and streets. The chi-square test showed a significant relationship between educational level, gender, amount of pocket money, exposure to second-hand smoke and advertisements with smoking (p<0.05).

Based on the results of the present study, it is recommended to implement policies and strategies to reduce second-hand smoke exposure, access and exposure to advertisements in adolescents.