DYNAMICS OF TOBACCO SMOKING PREVALENCE AMONG STUDENTS AND DIRECTIONS OF ITS PREVENTION

The aim: To study the dynamics of tobacco smoking prevalence among students and to find out the main directions of its prevention. Materials and methods: The research involved 647 students (men and women) of the first – fourth instructional years of pedagogical specialties. The research was conducted during 2020-2022. The research methods included analysis and generalization of literary source on the research topic, documentary method, questionnaires, pedagogical observation and statistical methods. Results: It was found that the phenomenon of tobacco smoking has long historical roots and is widespread in all countries of the world. It was found that 32.4 % of male students and 14.9 % of female ones smoke; herewith, 16.0 % of male and 8.3 % of female students smoke up to 10 cigarettes per day. It is established that a number of normative legal documents have been adopted and a system of preventive measures has been developed in order to counteract smoking among students. Conclusions: Smoking is a significant health and social problem the solution of which requires significant human and financial resources. Despite some achievements in this area, the active involvement of not only men, but also women, mainly students, in smoking is of particular concern. The use of tobacco products provokes a threat to the health of students and the population as a whole, which requires additional efforts on the part of society, government agencies and non-governmental organizations to prevent this addiction.