<< Epidemiology and Intervention Research This study will be one of the first studies in Brazil to investigate the factors associated with tobacco use among university students between ages 18 and 24. This study is important because this age group represents one of the major targets of the tobacco industry, especially involving advertising and promotion of cigarettes. Young adults are at higher risk of becoming addicted during transitional periods, such as insertion into the work force, or attendance at university. For many, smoking initiation occurs in social situations that typically lead to more frequent and daily use and the development of a life-long addiction. - To identify and analyze factors associated with tobacco use among university students of 23 selected schools of UERJ (Maracanã Campus) and to estimate the magnitude of these factors.
- To identify general and specific socio-cultural aspects of university life that promote or discourage the initiation, maintenance and cessation of smoking that could support the definition of strategies to control and treat smokers of these target groups.
- To recommend strategies and approaches to control smoking in the university population of public institutions in Rio de Janeiro.
The study will be composed of three sub-projects:
- Quantitative research from which it will be possible to calculate the prevalence of smokers attending the University and to describe factors associated with smoking behavior in the study population
- Qualitative research having the objective of understanding beliefs and attitudes about smoking, smoking initiation and cessation, and tobacco control measures at the University
- A map of the environment will be created to estimate the exposure of students to tobacco sales, advertising and marketing in the community adjacent to the University
National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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