Smoking in secondary school students in Zagreb

Prevalence of smoking was studied in two secondary schools in Zagreb. Data were collected from 637 pupils by questionnaires. Depending on school, between 31 to 45% pupils smoke. Different trends were observed in boys and girls. In boys from the families of a higher parental education prevalence is 28%; in those from lower 42% (p < 0.02). Smoking in girls still increases: in both populations girls surpassed boys (p < 0.001): observed frequencies are 47% in lower and 40% in a group with higher parental education. Higher frequency of smoking was observed in smoking families (p < 0.001). A majority of smokers begin smoking in the last grade of primary school, mostly because of peer group pressure and curiosity. Approximately 50% of regular smokers smoke more than half a pack daily. They comprise 12% of the surveyed population. Smokers do not assign low risk to smoking any more, but knowledge about diseases connected with smoking is insufficient. To reduce smoking among adolescents it is necessary to create negative attitude toward smoking and social-resistance skills during primary school education.