Awareness on Smoking Behaviour Among Students in Faculty of Quranic and Sunnah Studies, Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM)

Abstract

Research has shown that smoking has bad implications on smokers and society as a whole. For that matter, the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOHM) have taken various initiatives through information technology and social media to educate the public and students about the negative effects of smoking. The objective of this study is to identify the level of awareness among students on factors which lead to smoking behaviour and the negative effects it has on society. This study was conducted on 228 students at the Faculty of Quranic and Sunnah Studies, Islamic Science University of Malaysia. The research is quantitative in nature using questionnaire method. The quantitative data were then analysed descriptively in Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) to obtain the frequency and percentage. The finding of the study shows that the level of students' awareness on factors leading to smoking habit is at a satisfactory level. The students are aware that peers are the main contributing factor towards smoking habit. The level of awareness on the harmful effects of smoking is also at a satisfactory level. The students' awareness is influenced by their field of study which is Islamic studies as well as their modest purchasing power considering their average family income range from RM1000 to RM3000. The conclusion of the study is the importance to educate students on the harmful effects of smoking, as well as to maintain the level of awareness among them.