Objective: Introduction: Studies of domestic scientists show the unsatisfactory state of health of the population of Ukraine. This is due to a number of socio-economic, political, environmental problems, a low level of material support for the majority of the population, as well as the prevalence of bad habits. Of particular interest is the spread of bad habits among young people, in particular smoking, its connection with various social factors and the impact on health. The aim: The main aim of the study is studying of the factors that cause the spread of smoking among students of higher medical educational establishments of Ukraine and their dependence on the social and economic situation of young people; to investigate the root causes of smoking among students; to analyze the level of the desire to lead a healthy lifestyle and quit smoking in the studied educational establishments.
Patients and methods: Materials and methods: 435 questionnaires of students of two higher medical educational establishments were analyzed: the Bogomolets` National Medical University, Kiev - 180 and the HSEE of Ukraine «UMSA», Poltava - 255.
Results: Results:The study showed that of all respondents, have they tried to smoke once, 268 (61,6%) gave a positive response, and 167 (38,4%) indicated that they had no experience of using tobacco. Among all respondents 162 smoke for the sake of curiosity and in percentage terms it is 37,2%. The personal drama went to the second place and this reason was named by 43 respondents and this is 9,9%. The third position was a combination of two factors of curiosity and drama and is 3,0%.
Conclusion: Conclusions: As a result of the study, there is a significant difference between students on smoking daily- 36,7% versus 27.8% (p = 0,05). Some differences among the students of the study groups regarding the visit to entertaining establishments - 56,7% of students of the Bogomolets NMU were determined against 53,7% of the students from the UMSA, but these data are not reliable (р=0,33).
Keywords: risk factors; smoking; medical educational establishments; students.