Abstract
Purpose In 2000, a survey of smoking behavior among students of Himeji-Dokkyo University was conducted in order to provide a basis for no smoking movements in the university.
Method Anonymous questionnaires were distributed to students and then gathered it. The analysis examined the relationships among sex and age and the smoking status (smoker, previous smoker, non smoker).
Results Of the smokers, 44.0% started before the age of seventeen years. Non-smokers were more critical of smoking than smokers, with previous smokers occupying an intermediate position. No clear reasons were given for starting smoking although the behaviour of elder students was of importance. Smokers thought that it was desirable to reduce the smoking rate in Japan and that information should be available regarding effects on the body. A small proportion also were in favour of banning cigarette vending machines.
Conclusions Most answer to the question about starting his/her smoking were no positive reason. However, the effect of circumstances is important, because smoking of friends, senior students and family members had a strong influence. It was suggested that many smoking students know smoking is not good for their health, and would like to quit.
