Tobacco Use, Attitude, and Learning about Tobacco Control in Medical Technology Students

Abstract

The researchers surveyed about tobacco use, attitude and learning about tobacco control in third-year medical technology students of 14 medical technology schools in Thailand. The questionnaire was modified from world health organization questionnaire. There were 887(80.1%) respondents. Rates of cigarette, role your own cigarette, e-cigarette, and other tobacco product use were 0.6%, 0.3%, 2.6%, and 0.2%, respectively. Rate of secondhand smoking was 18.4%. The students who had heard about smoke-free university, seen no-smoking banner outside and inside the buildings were 91.7%, 87.7%, and 87.4 %, respectively. Rates of learning about tobacco toxicity, smoking cessation, drugs & other products that help smoking cessation, and marketing strategies of tobacco industries were 70.1%, 26.2%, 33.3%, and 17.8%, respectively. Most of the students recognized that e-cigarette is addictive and harmful to health. Moreover, e-cigarette cannot be used for smoking cessation. However, some students believed that e-cigarette is a fashioned product for teenagers. This survey showed that the rate of tobacco consumption in medical technology students was low. However, the schools should provide knowledge and skill in tobacco control so the students can give an advice to the people and actively participate in tobacco control after graduation.