OBJECTIVES: To provide nationally representative data on smoking prevalence of Turkish adolescents; to examine their knowledge, attitude and exposure to tobacco. METHODS: A school-based representative survey of adolescents (13-15 years) was conducted within the frame of Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). 15957 students were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling method and completed an internationally standardized questionnaire on tobacco use and related factors. RESULTS: About one-third of students had already experienced smoking and 10% were current smokers. Rate of exposure to passive smoking was high both in current smokers (89.0%) and never smokers (79.2%). More than one-third of current smokers had intended to quit. Susceptibility to initiate smoking was fairly high among never smokers, especially in boys (9.1% versus 5.8%). Considerable proportions of both never, and current smokers had positive attitude toward tobacco use. Half of the students had no school curriculum about the effects of tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking prevalence among Turkish adolescents is alarmingly high and the gender gap is closing. A relevant legislation is a must for success in tobacco control but should be combined by other effective prevention and cessation programs.
OBJECTIVES: To provide nationally representative data on smoking prevalence of Turkish adolescents; to examine their knowledge, attitude and exposure to tobacco. METHODS: A school-based representative survey of adolescents (13-15 years) was conducted within the frame of Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). 15957 students were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling method and completed an internationally standardized questionnaire on tobacco use and related factors. RESULTS: About one-third of students had already experienced smoking and 10% were current smokers. Rate of exposure to passive smoking was high both in current smokers (89.0%) and never smokers (79.2%). More than one-third of current smokers had intended to quit. Susceptibility to initiate smoking was fairly high among never smokers, especially in boys (9.1% versus 5.8%). Considerable proportions of both never, and current smokers had positive attitude toward tobacco use. Half of the students had no school curriculum about the effects of tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking prevalence among Turkish adolescents is alarmingly high and the gender gap is closing. A relevant legislation is a must for success in tobacco control but should be combined by other effective prevention and cessation programs.
Authors: Toker Erguder; Banu Cakir; Nihal Babalioglu; Hasim Dogusan; Eyup Turkoral; Charles W Warren Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2009 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: H Ozcebe; N Bilir; E Inal; H Unlu; E Beser; G Can; E D Evci Kiraz; P Okyay; D Arslantas; F Abacigil; V Senol; E Turhan; S Gokgoz; E O Calıkoglu; Z Kocan Journal: Tob Induc Dis Date: 2016-12-05 Impact factor: 2.600
Authors: Toker Erguder; Banu Cakir; Dilek Aslan; Charles W Warren; Nathan R Jones; Samira Asma Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2008-12-15 Impact factor: 3.295