Background: Smoking is responsible for numerous fatal or non-fatal health disorders which includes
cancer of lung, larynx, stomach, liver, leukemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
cardiovascular disease, vascular dementia, asthma attacks, macular degeneration and peripheral
vascular disease. Aim of the work: This study was carried out to identify the effect of some
determinants factors either influence or decrease smoking, among 242 male medical students at AlAzhar University, Assuit branch. Subjects and Methods: A total of 242 male medical students were
subjected to an interview sheet including socio-demographic characteristics, some determinants
factors for smoking. Results: The study analyzed data about prevalence and determinants of smoking
among 242 male medical students at Al-Azhar University, Assuit branch. The mean age of the studied
sample was 20.8 ± 1.9 with a range 18 – 25 years. All of them were cigarette smokers. the prevalence
of smoking among the studied group is 21.1% and the highest prevalence is among 5th year students
while the lowest one is among the1st year students. Smoking is doubled at age 21 year or more
compared to those less than 21 years (28% vs. 14.8%). The mean age of starting smoking is 19.2
years, ranged from 15 – 24 years. Smoking is significantly among students with small family size
(28.6%) & those whose family income is enough to save from it (35.2%), compared with students
with large family size (17.1%) & those whose family income is not enough to their daily needs
(8.8%). Smoking is more prevalent among students whose parents are less educated and their father's
jobs are non-professional. Smoking significantly increases when both parents are smokers (92.3%
compared with 38.8% when only one & 8% when none of them is smoker). Presence of smokers
among close colleagues is associated with significant increase in prevalence of smoking (47.1% vs.
6.5%). Presence of other smokers within the house also leads to significantly higher prevalence of
smoking among students (39.4% vs. 13.5%). Smoking is significantly reduced (11.4%) among those
regularly practicing sports compared to (25.8%) among those not practicing or sometimes practicing
sports. Conclusion and Recommendations prevalence of smoking is higher among students who live
away from their families, with rural place of origin, with family size less than five and those their
family income is sufficient and capable to save. Parental education & occupation affect the prevalence
of student smoking in a reciprocal manner. As they go up, prevalence of smoking decreases. Most of
the students favor the good example i.e. doctors, parents, and teachers. Also they favor the restriction
of sale of cigarettes and appreciated the importance of the role of Television in antismoking campaign
and prevention of smoking in public places. Some of the students stress on the role of religious
leaders in the anti-smoking campaign.