Perception and practices of tobacco smoking among medical students in the Nile Delta, Egypt.

This study was conducted to identify medical students' perception and practices towards tobacco smoking, as well as to identify factors affecting their adoption to smoking habit, among medical students in the Nile Delta. From December 2014 to February 2015, a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the four faculties of medicine in the Nile Delta. A total of 1715 students were targeted from the 2nd to 6th academic years to represent different levels of knowledge, awareness, and the influence of medical education on their attitude towards smoking. 5.6 and 1.2% of the students reported being smokers and ex-smokers, respectively, with a higher prevalence among 6th-year students, 40% of them reported to be involved with substance abuse. In general, medical students had positive antismoking attitude. The prevalence of smoking among medicine students was not high. However, there is a need to address smoking cessation programs during their study.