Cigarette smoking is a multilateral social problem. Early initiation and notable prevalence of smoking among school children is observed. According to the reports, smoking at young age results in greater intensity and longer duration of smoking as well as it increases the risk of tobacco-related diseases development, such as respiratory and circulatory system diseases and neoplastic diseases. Recent reports show that students of all specializations readily reach for a cigarette. It is found that more then a half of students attending medical universities smoke cigarettes. And yet, it is students of medicine who should promote healthy life style, free from addictions including cigarette smoking. The majority of students start smoking even while still attending primary school. Stress is one of the most frequently mentioned factors which infl uences academic youth to start smoking.

The number of people who smoke cigarettes occasionally, mostly during social meeting, is an alarming phenomenon. It increases the risk of starting to smoke on regular basis. The majority of students who admit to regular tobacco use, smoke from 1 to 10 cigarettes a day.

There is a pressing need to take serious, preventive steps concerning the problem of smoking among students, especially in institutions which educate future personnel of health institutions.

Słowa kluczowe: palenie papierosów, smoking, studenci, student