Meeting abstract

TOBACCO CONSUMPTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

Deni Rkman ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Šalata 3, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Mirjana Kujundžić Tiljak ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Rockefeller Street 4, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Iskra Alexandra Nola ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Rockefeller Street 4, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Marjeta Majer ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Rockefeller Street 4, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Introduction: Smoking among adolescents represents a significant public health problem due to the frequency and adverse effects of tobacco on health. Long-term smoking as a risky factor is associated with the development of many diseases. In the growing age, adolescents tend to experiment and are often exposed to peer pressure.
Aim: The aim of this paper was to analyze the frequency of smoking among adolescents in the Republic of Croatia.
Methods: By review of the literature we analyzed the frequency of smoking in the Republic of Croatia compared to other countries. The European Report on Smoking, Drinking Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) and the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC - WHO) have been analyzed.
Results: According to ESPAD research in 2015, 62% of fifteen year olds (61% of boys and 63% of girls) in Croatia smoked one or more times in life. Both in Europe and in Croatia, there is a decreasing trend in smoking among students from 1995 to 2015. In the European countries, in 1995, 67% of students smoked, and in 2015, 47%, while in Croatia, in 1995, 69% of students smoked, and in 2015 62%, which is still above the European average. Age of first cigarette consumption for 32% of adolescents was 13, while for 31% of them was 14 and more. From the age of 14, 23% of adolescents smoke every day. According to the HBSC - WHO survey in 2014, 14% of boys and 5% of girls reported having started smoking at 11 and under. At 12 and 13 years, 19% of boys and 21% of girls started to smoke, with 14 and more 20% and 25% respectively. Research conducted among first year students of School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, in academic year 2015/2016 showed that 11% of boys and girls smoked daily, and occasionally 17% and 11% respectively. Age of first cigarette consumption for the highest percentage of females was 17 years (18%), and for males 16 years (17%).
Conclusion: The results of these surveys indicate that smoking among adolescents is a major challenge for the Croatian health care system. Prevention should focus on quality education of the school population, increase in cigarette prices and change of society's attitude towards social acceptability of smoking.

Keywords

adolescents; smoking; risk behavior; prevention

Hrčak ID:

218618

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/218618

Publication date:

31.12.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 2.661 *