Tabaco y Universidad. Percepción de los estudiantes universitarios sobre la ley de medidas sanitarias frente al tabaquismo / Perception among college students of the healthcare law against smoking

RESUMEN

Objetivo: conocer el consumo de tabaco de los estudiantes universitarios y su opinión respecto a la ley antitabaco. Método: estudio descriptivo transversal. La recogida de datos se realizó mediante cuestionario. Resultados: se estudiaron 284 estudiantes. Fumaba el 42,6% y era ex-fumador el 11,6%. Los más consumidores de cigarrillos se encuentran en la franja de 24-29 años y compaginan estudios y trabajo. El 13,2% no percibe el riesgo del tabaco y al 16,1% no le preocupa sus efectos en el fumador pasivo. El 66,3% de fumadores está preocupado por sus efectos en la salud. Las mujeres perciben más que los hombres que la ley antitabaco se cumple y que resulta beneficiosa socialmente. A partir de dicha ley ha dejado de fumar el 16,5% y se ha planteado abandonarlo el 35,5%. El 24,6% no la respeta. Estar de acuerdo con la ley antitabaco se relacionó con no fumar o ser ex-fumador, tener entre 18 y 23 años o más de 30 años, estudiar ciencias sanitarias, percibir que el tabaco supone riesgo para la salud y ser mujer. Conclusión: estos resultados tienen interés porque facilitan planificar actividades específicas dirigidas a este grupo de personas que, en un futuro, serán referentes sociales. Puesto que el tabaquismo constituye uno de los principales problemas de salud pública debería abordarse un mayor compromiso de las autoridades sanitarias y académicas y facilitar ayuda para dejar de fumar(AU)

ABSTRACT

Objective: to understand smoking habits among college students and their opinion about the anti-smoking law. Method: cross-sectional descriptive study conducted. Data gathering was carried out through surveys. Results: sample of 284 students. 42.6% were smokers and 11.6% were ex-smokers. The heaviest smokers were among the 24-29 age group and those who combined work and school. 13.2% did not perceive any risk in smoking, and 16.1% were unconcerned about the risks to passive smokers. 66.3% of smokers were worried about the effects of smoking on their health. Women perceived more than men that the anti-smoking law implementation was effective and was socially beneficial. Since the anti-smoking law came into effect, 16.5% of the sample had quit smoking and 35.5% had considered quitting. 24.6% did not abide by the law. Agreeing with the law was correlated with being a non-smoker or an ex-smoker, being between 18 and 23 years of age or older than 30, studying health sciences, perceiving that smoking creates health hazards and being female. Conclusion: these results are of interest because they facilitate the planning of specific activities targeted to this type of people, who in the future will become social points of references. Since smoking constitutes one of the biggest public health problems it should be tackled with a greater commitment from health and academic authorities, including assistance for those willing to quit smoking(AU)