Prevalence of tobacco smoking among school teachers in Greece

Abstract

Introduction

Teachers serve as models for young people and significantly influence their health behavior.

Aim

We were interested in conducting the first epidemiological survey about tobacco smoking among Greek teachers.

Methods

A total of 1032 teachers of the two biggest cities of Greece participated in the study. A questionnaire was created to include questions regarding tobacco smoking, history of tobacco use, nicotine dependence as well as health attitudes. Frequencies and relative frequencies were determined for all the questions. Pearson's Chi² and Chi² adjusted tests were used to examine the potential association of current smoking status with gender, age and school level in a statistical significance level of 0.05.

Results

Prevalence of current smokers in the sample was 25.6%. Cigarette emerged as the tobacco product of choice reported by 88,3% of the respondents, followed by e-cigarette (5.2%), cigar (2.4%), hookah (2.4%) and pipe (1.7%). The highest prevalence of current smoking was found in the age group of 40–49 years old (46.1%). Current smoking proportion was higher among female (26.0%) than male teachers (24.9%). Intention to quit smoking was reported by 18.1% of the sample.

Conclusions

As compared to other countries, teachers in Greece have a moderate percentage regarding tobacco smoking. A concerted effort must be made towards smoking cessation in this population with gender specific interventions. It is of great importance for teachers to act as public health promoters, as performers of tobacco prevention curricula and as leaders in the implementation of school tobacco control policies.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.