The objectives of this descriptive research project were to study the attitudes towards smoking and health among faculty personnel, medical students, patients and relatives at Prince of Songkla University (PSU) hospital as well as to determine the prevalence of smoking among faculty personnel and medical students and to identify the factors associated with attitudes and smoking behavior among smokers and non-smokers. Data were collected during a two-month period (May – June, 2005) from 1,417 faculty personnel, 500 medical students, and 347 patients and their relatives. The results of the study revealed all study groups had similar attitudes about the effects of tobacco on health. Ninety-nine percent agreed that cigarette smoke was hazardous to the health of both smokers and passive smokers. More than 70% believed that adults should not smoke. Most believed smoking was not socially acceptable and should not be engaged in by men, women or, most importantly, by youth. Smoking prevalence in faculty personnel and medical students was 3.1% and 0.8%, respectively. Sixty six percent of smokers began their smoking habit due to curiosity and 61% influenced by peer pressure. Current smokers mostly smoked no more than ten cigarettes a day. Among current smokers, 66% intended to quit with 75% requesting cigarette quitting manuals. Thirtythree percent of those who did not intend to quit cited that it was hard to quit because they were surrounded by other smokers. Significantly more non-smokers than smokers agreed that smoking was socially unacceptable.
In conclusion, focusing the attitudes of youth towards nonsmoking behavior as well as providing public education on the health hazards of cigarette smoking is essential for the prevention of initial smoking habits. Campaigns towards good family relationship will influence most smokers to quit. Antismoking campaigns among health personnel and medical students as a role model for the public should be encouraged and continued even though the smoking prevalence is low.