Abstract
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? In 2013, 31.61% of students perceived quitting smoking as difficult, 61.73% considered smoking less attractive, and 73.89% believed that secondhand smoke is definitely harmful to health. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? The percentage of students who perceived quitting smoking as difficult increased from 31.61% in 2013 to 38.83% in 2021, while the percentage of students who found smoking less attractive rose from 61.73% to 69.40%. Conversely, there was a decrease in the percentage of students who perceived secondhand smoke as harmful, from 73.89% to 68.46%. An increased awareness of the hazards of secondhand smoke was associated with a reduction in smoking behaviors. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? It is imperative to enhance health education efforts that aim to raise awareness of the hazards of secondhand smoke.