[Tobacco smoking among nursing students: behaviour and knowledge of the correlated risks].

This study was designed to assess knowledge and consumption of tobacco, during the three years of the university course for nurses in Bologna. A questionnaire consisting of items about personal details, smoking habits, and one open question about knowledge of health risks linked to tobacco consumption 505 students. 43% of males and 33% of females were current smokers. The males were mostly medium and heavy smokers (>11 cigarettes/day) and the females light smokers (<10/day). As regards knowledge an increase in both number and accuracy of the answers given by the third year students was seen. Suggestions for educational programs are given considering that the population in question is part of an "example group" who are supposed to play a role in influencing the behavior of the general population.