1. Page 1 Author: Bokor Emőke – Anita (University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tîrgu-Mure, General Medicine, 6 th year) Supervisor: Dr. Germán - Salló Márta, assistant professor UMF Tîrgu-Mure, Department of Internal Medicine Tobacco use among medical and nursing students

2. Page 2 1. Introduction Smoking remains a serious threat to global health, killing nearly 6 million people each year According to WHO more than 1.3 billion people smoke worldwide Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in our society 99% of all first- time tobacco use occurs by the age of 26

3. Page 3 Why is tobacco so harmful? Tobacco smoke contains a mix of more than 7000 chemicals. About at least 250 is known that they are harmful for our body. Hundreds are toxic, more than 70 are carcinogens.

4. Page 4 Health consequences of smoking Tobacco is very addictive causing dependence, tolerance and withdrawal Cardiovascular diseases: atherosclerosis, thrombosis, coronary heart disease, stroke Cancer: lung, larynx, oropharynx, pancreas, stomach, bladder, cervix Respiratory diseases: COPD (chronic bronchitis, emphysema) Others: preterm delivery, tooth loss, cataract, delayed wound healing

5. Page 5 Why do people/physicians smoke? It is because they do not know or do not believe that smoking is harmful? It is because they do not study this topic in their training? Or it is because they do not consider it important?

6. Page 6 Tobacco use in Romania According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, conducted in Romania in 2011.

7. Page 7 The AIM of this study was to determine the prevalence of and attitudes towards smoking among medical students since many of physician’s personal habits and attitudes are formed during their education.

8. Page 8 Methodology: In March 2014 a self-administered survey was conducted at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Târgu-Mure using an adapted version of Global Health Professional Students Survey (GHPSS) questionnaire.

9. Page 9 The questionnaire included the following topics: Demographics Prevalence of cigarette smoking and use of other tobacco products Desire to quit smoking Exposure to second-hand smoke Knowledge and attitudes toward smoking Training received in cessation counseling

10. Page 10 Results: We analyzed the data of 159 students enrolled in their first year of study. 69 medical students 90 nursing students Among the respondents 81.13% were female and 18.87% were male, 98.74% were aged between 19 and 24 years.

11. Page 11 Smoking status among students:

12. Page 12 The prevalence of MEDICAL STUDENTS’ tobacco use in Europe:

13. Page 13 Smoking habits:

14. Page 14 Smoking habits:

15. Page 15 Attitudes towards tobacco control:

16. Page 16 Attitudes towards tobacco control:

17. Page 17 Conclusions: Smoking prevalence among health-profession students is high (>20%). More than 30% of students think that physician’s smoking status is influencing their ability in counseling smokers. More than three-fourth of students think that health care professionals should be role models for their patients and they have an important role in cessation counseling. The majority of students is supporting tobacco control policies. The majority of students is encouraging the implementation of a tobacco curricula in their training.

18. Page 18 Disclosure: Fogarty Institute and Davidson University, USA

19. Page 19 Personal contributions: Reading bibliography Collecting data Statistical analysis PowerPoint presentation

20. Page 20 Thank you for your attention!