Not really a smoker? Prevalence and attitudes to social occasional smoking in Trinity College Dublin

Abstract

Abstract Background Occasional smoking is defined as any smoking which occurs on a less than daily basis. Social smoking is a sub-group of occasional smoking which is smoking primarily carried out in social contexts. Data on occasional cigarette smoking and the subset of social smoking among third-level students are limited. This study assessed the prevalence of and attitudes to occasional/social smoking among undergraduates and postgraduates in an Irish university Aims (1) To determine the prevalence of occasional/social smoking among third-level students; (2) To evaluate students' attitudes to occasional/social smoking, including perceived benefits and harm; (3) To explore when students commenced occasional/social smoking, their reasons and their continued smoking habits; and (4) To determine any influence of other factors e.g. alcohol consumption on occasional/social smoking. Methods Anonymous online survey of undergraduates and postgraduates, via email and social media using Survey Monkey. Data were analysed in Microsoft Excel. Results 1,310/18,407 (7.1%) of students responded. 1,267/1,310 (96.7%) provided adequate data for analysis. 423/1267 (33.4%) self-reported as current smokers of whom 106/1267 (8.4%) classified themselves as daily and 317/1267 (25%) as occasional smokers. The occasional smokers comprised 266/1267 (21%) social smokers and 51/1267 (4%) non-social smokers. Occasional smokers tended to start smoking later and think less about quitting than daily smokers. 386/423 (97.2%) of all current smokers reported that alcohol increased their smoking habits. Conclusions Prevalence of self-reported occasional smoking among university students was higher than daily smoking. Most occasional smokers primarily smoked in social contexts. All current smokers reported that alcohol increased cigarette intake. Effective intervention campaigns tailored to determinants of occasional/social smoking are needed as part of induction to third level. Key messages Prevalence of self-reported occasional smoking among university students is higher than daily smoking. Most occasional smokers smoke primarily in a social environment. Campaigns tailored to determinants of occasional/social smoking are needed for university entrants as part of induction to third level.