Adolescent Perception on School Environment and Smoking Behavior: Analysis of Isfahan Tobacco use Prevention Program

BACKGROUND: School provides a set of condition which is very important determinant for student smoking behavior. This study aims at exploring the association of the school environment on Iranian middle and high school students smoking. METHODS: A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was circulated among 5500 randomly selected students with 98.3% response rate. The questionnaire asked on demographic information, student smoking status, and their perception on the school environment. School environment factor was consist of teacher smoking, implementation of smoke-free policy at school, student adherence to this policy, student perception of school personnel attitude and attention on smoking and finally receiving information on smoke-related issues via teachers. Analyses were performed with SPSS software using Chi-square and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Boys with higher level of witness to teachers smoking had higher odds of being smoking (odds ratio [OR] =1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.17, 2.25); significant relationship was seen between boy's perception regarding school anti-smoking rules and their smoking (OR = 1.40, 98% CI 1.12, 1.75); fewer concern of school personnel on student smoking behavior was correlated to boys smoking behavior (OR = 1.31, 98% CI 1.06–1.63). Among girls, only higher perceived teacher smoking (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.04, 6.44) was associated with their smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Teachers have a crucial role in student smoking; therefore, they strategies must be taken to persuade the student, school staff, and students to adhere free-smoking policies in and out of school.