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Not really a smoker? A study on the prevalence of and attitudes to occasional social smoking in a third level institution in Ireland

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) volume 190, pages 941–948 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Occasional smoking is defined as any smoking occurring on a less than daily basis. Social smoking, i.e. smoking primarily in social contexts, is a sub-group of occasional smoking. Data on occasional cigarette smoking and the subset of social smoking among third level students are limited.

Objectives

(1) To determine prevalence of occasional/social smoking among third level students in an Irish university; (2) to evaluate students’ attitudes to occasional/social smoking, including perceived benefits and harm; (3) to explore when students commenced occasional/social smoking, their reasons and continued smoking habits; and (4) to determine any influence of other factors, e.g. alcohol consumption, on occasional/social smoking.

Methods

An anonymous online survey was distributed to undergraduates and postgraduates, using SurveyMonkey. Data were analysed in Microsoft Excel.

Results

Of 18,407 students surveyed, 1310 (7.1%) responded;1267 (96.7%) provided adequate data for analysis. Of the 1267 students, 423 (33.4%) self-reported as current smokers of whom 106/1267 (8.4%) self-classified as daily smokers and 317/1267 (25%) as occasional smokers. The 25% of occasional smokers comprised 266/1267 (21%) social smokers and 51/1267 (4%) non-social smokers. Occasional smokers tended to start smoking earlier and think less about quitting than daily smokers. Of 423 current smokers, 386 (97.2%) reported that alcohol increased their smoking habits.

Conclusion

Prevalence of self-reported occasional smoking among university students was higher than daily smoking. Most occasional smokers primarily smoked in social contexts. All current smokers reported that alcohol increased cigarette intake. Effective intervention campaigns tailored to determinants of occasional/social smoking are needed as part of induction to third level.

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Acknowledgements

A small research fund (€250) was provided to this research study by the School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin. This fund enabled the purchase of two Trinity Ball tickets to provide an incentive for students to complete the survey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Seán R. Murray, Sarah J. Lyne & Melissa D. Cryan

  2. Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Martina Mullin

  3. Trinity College Health Service, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    David McGrath

  4. Public Health and Primary Care, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Catherine B. Hayes

Authors
  1. Seán R. Murray
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  2. Sarah J. Lyne
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  3. Melissa D. Cryan
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  4. Martina Mullin
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  5. David McGrath
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  6. Catherine B. Hayes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Catherine B. Hayes.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin.

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Murray, S.R., Lyne, S.J., Cryan, M.D. et al. Not really a smoker? A study on the prevalence of and attitudes to occasional social smoking in a third level institution in Ireland. Ir J Med Sci 190, 941–948 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-020-02439-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-020-02439-5

Keywords

  • Alcohol and smoking
  • Occasional smoking
  • Social smoking
  • Third level students