Medical students as future physicians will have an important role in tobacco control;
therefore, their tobacco use behavior is of particular interest. Consumption of combustible
tobacco (cigarettes, waterpipes, cigars, and pipes) is prevalent throughout Europe,
whereas smokeless tobacco use is common mainly in the Nordic countries. Objectives:
Aim of our study is to assess tobacco use among medical students from different countries
studying in Hungary with special focus on students from Norway where smokeless tobacco
is widely used. A self-administered questionnaire survey was carried out to measure
current tobacco use. Results: The survey included 1337 students from Hungary, Norway,
Germany, and from other countries (Multinational group). The lowest prevalence of
cigarette smoking was found among students from Norway (13.0%) when compared with
students from Hungary (21.5%), Germany (34.2%), or with students in the Multinational
group (29.5%). Conversely, prevalence of smokeless tobacco use was the highest among
students from Norway (40.9%) when compared with students from Hungary (1.4%), Germany
(2.6%), or with students in the Multinational group (6.2%). Waterpipes, cigars, and
pipes were rarely used, mostly only 1-3 times a month in all groups. More than half
of Norwegian students used some form of tobacco (smokeless and/or combustible tobacco).
Conclusions: Considering the impending role of medical students in tobacco control,
faculties of medicine should sensitize their students on the topic of possible health
risks associated with combustible and smokeless tobacco products. Culturally tailored
tobacco cessation programs need to be offered to medical students coming from different
cultural backgrounds.
