[Knowledge, attitudes and opinions about conventional and electronic cigarette smoking among University of Pavia medical students (Italy)].

The aim of this study was to investigate attitudes and awareness about conventional and electronic cigarettes in a sample of students attending the Faculty of Medicine of Pavia University (Italy). An anonymous and self-reported questionnaire was administered to 226 students attending either the first or third years of medical school during the 2013 to 2014 school year. Participation was voluntary and required signing an informed consent form. The prevalence of smokers was 12%. Sixty-seven percent of smokers reported smoking less than 5 cigarettes/day, and 15% more than 10 cigarettes/day. Most smokers (63%) prefer packaged cigarettes and 33% handmade cigarettes; 86% began to smoke between the ages of 15 and 20 years and 45% were influenced by friends. Almost all the students are aware of electronic cigarettes but only one reported regularly using them. Prevalence of smokers and average number of cigarettes smoked per day were both found to be lower than that of the Italian population. Preference of packaged versus handmade cigarettes is the same as national data. E-cigarette use is lower than that reported in the Italian population. This study highlights the need for health education interventions aimed at medical students and family physicians.