Jose R. Calvo¹, Tadeo E. Rodriguez¹, J.A. Lopez-Cabanas¹, G. Nuez del Rosario¹, Veronica Acosta-DePrez, PhD, CHES², and Mohammed Forouzesh, MPH, PhD³. (1) Universidad de Las Palmas, Ciencias Clinicas de Salud, Gran Canaria, Spain, (2) Health Science, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840-4902, (562)985-7698, vacosta@csulb.edu, (3) Health Science Department, California State University at Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-4902

Tobacco consumption among young people continues to be a problem all over the world. The Canary Islands is one place in Europe where adolescents start smoking earlier, 11.4 years. This study examines tobacco consumption among young adults, particularly university students of the University of Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain.

A survey questionnaire consisting of 96 items was designed to evaluate smoking behaviors among all university students in their junior year. A total sample of 1838 students, with 726 male and 1112 females participated. Demographic data show that 97% were single and 77.7% were between the range of 20-24 years. About 38.3% declared they were actual or past smokers, and 26.6% declared they were current smokers. Approximately 45.6% stated they lived at home with at least one smoker. Only 16.2% declared they will continue to use tobacco daily into the future. Readiness for accepting an invitation to smoke was declared by 21%, but only 54.3% stated they would be able to resist peer pressure. About 70.9% agreed that the price of cigarettes should be increased.

When asked whether they would like to stop smoking, 65.6% of the current smokers agreed, and 90.3% would like to help others quit. In conclusion, university students in Las Palmas smoke less than the general population and the attitude towards tobacco consumption is slowly changing in positive light. There is general agreement about the negative consequences of smoking, and one way to help stop smoking in the general population includes increasing the price.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe tobacco consupmtion among students at the University of Las Palmas, Spain.
• Discuss correlations between perceptions and behaivors regarding smoking.

Keywords: College Students, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.