BACKGROUND: Most people who use tobacco start smoking in adolescence, in particular, 90% of smokers start smoking before the age of 18. This leads to the rapid development of nicotine addiction and complicates attempts to give up this habit. In recent years, alternative methods of tobacco consumption have been gaining popularity in Ukraine, in particular, electronic cigarettes and devices for heating tobacco. The study examined, in particular, the attitude of schoolchildren to smoking, and the effectiveness of information activities in educational institutions.
METHODS: Number of respondents surveyed: 769 students 13-14 years old.
Data collection method: self-filling of a formalized questionnaire by students, conducted in an online format, using the RatingBot software (https://ratingbot.ua), at the place of study, i.e. offline in the classrooms. A link to the survey was developed for each school and class, which the interviewer provided to the respondents before the survey.
RESULTS: • 79–80% of students (depending on the type of tobacco or nicotine products) believe that the use of traditional tobacco products, electrically heated products, electronic cigarettes and nicotine pads in schools is prohibited by law.
• 8–9% of respondents (depending on the type of tobacco or nicotine products) believe that these products are permitted.
• From 12 to 14% of students hesitated to answer this question.
More than half of students (51%) support increased enforcement of the ban on the sale of tobacco or nicotine products, while a significant proportion (49%) either do not support it or have no clear opinion. This indicates the need for a better explanation and justification of the need for such measures.
CONCLUSIONS: More than half of students (51%) support increased enforcement of bans on the use of tobacco or nicotine products in educational institutions. At the same time, 27% are against such an increase, and 22% have no definite opinion on the matter.