Predictors of Daily and Occasional Smoking and Quitting in Irish University Students

Abstract

Knowledge of student smoking behaviors and attitudes was sought to inform a proposal to implement a smoke-free university campus. This study assessed prevalence of student smoking and quitting behaviors and associated demographic, contextual and attitudinal factors. A cross-sectional design using a convenience sample on a single university site was utilized. Data were collected by anonymous self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic models comparing smokers and non-smokers (Model 1) and daily with occasional smokers Model 2. Of 739 respondents, 19% of students smoked; 12% occasional (non-daily) and 7% daily smokers. Smokers were more likely to be ≥22 years and to allow smoking inside their accommodation (Model 1). They were less likely to agree that tobacco was addictive and to consider those who smoked at parties and weekends to be regular smokers. In Model 2, daily smokers were older and nine times more likely to report increased difficulty in handling stress if they quit smoking. Forty-four percent of all smokers had attempted to quit in the past year, 35% of smokers intended to quit in the next 30 days and 53% in the next six months. Forty percent did not use quitting supports. Occasional rather than daily smoking was more prevalent in university students. Smokers differed from non-smokers in their perception of smoking-related health risks. Increasing age was the best predictor of regular and occasional smoking. Intentions to quit smoking and quit attempts were high among all smokers although use of on-site cessation supports was less than the optimal. These combined factors indicate a need for better targeting of our prevention strategies and the need to promote greater awareness of cessation supports for successful implementation of a smoke-free campus.

Not really a smoker? A study on the prevalence of and attitudes to occasional social smoking in a third level institution in Ireland

“…The previous survey conducted in 2013 [5] reported an occasional smoking prevalence of 12%. Offering a social smoking option in our survey may have prompted participants to identify as social smokers rather than non-smokers which may in part explain the much higher prevalence.…”

“…Its aim is to achieve the national Tobacco Free Ireland goal of a smoking prevalence of less than 5% among students and staff [4]. A 2013 survey of daily and occasional smoking in Trinity, established that occasional, rather than daily smoking is more prevalent among Irish university students [5].…”

Use of a Living Lab Approach to Implement a Smoke-Free Campus Policy

“…In 2013, before changes were made to the physical space, baseline data were collected on smoking prevalence [29]. About 19% of students smoked; 12% occasionally (non-daily) and 7% daily.…”

“…A Tobacco Policy Committee which included the authors of this paper was established. Baseline data were collected on smoking prevalence [ 29 ] and a year-long consultation with over 10,000 engagements was conducted, consisting of online surveys, town hall meetings, working groups, and an undergraduate Students’ Union vote. The Students’ Union voted not to support the proposed policy [ 30 ].…”

The state of smokeless tobacco cessation in a context lacking cessation services: Evidence from Ethiopia

“…They use an aggregate of daily and occasional users instead of examining predictors for cessation attempts, for each group independently 24,27,28,30 . Studies have shown that there is a difference between daily and occasional tobacco users with regard to motivation 31 , perception 32 , and affect 33 . The objective of this study was to determine cessation attempts and related factors among daily SLT users.…”