[Tobacco smoking among medical students of the University of Milano, Italy].

In order to evaluate smoking habits among the future medical class an anonymous questionnaire about tobacco smoking was submitted to 822 students of the University of Milano in six academic years, from 1998/99 to 2003/04. A total of 184 students (22.4%) were smoker 463 (56.3%) had never smoked and 161 (19.6%) had previously smoked. More than half of these last had quit smoking during the university years. Smoking habits resulted influenced by the habits in the family (parents and brothers) and among the friends. Anti-smoking campaigns among medical students are needed taking into account their future role in health promotion and in prevention of tobacco smoking and its consequences.