Background: This study was done to know the effect of antismoking legislation among different professional students as, in this age group individuals tend to involve in such adverse habits.
Materials & methods: In this cross-sectional study, three different professional students (Arts, Engineering and Dental) were considered. A pretested self administered structured questionnaire was used to know the attitude of students towards anti smoking legislation like smoking habits, awareness of antismoking legislation etc.
Statistical analysis used: Data was analysed using ANOVA and students't test. p<0.05 was considered as the level of significance.
Results: The total study subjects were 990 including 396 -smokers and 594 - non smokers. 84.7% knew about antismoking legislation and around 70.2% answered that it was good to ban smoking in public places. Non smokers gave significantly more positive response towards law against smoking.
Conclusion: Overall results were supporting for the antismoking legislation. But there is a lack of enforcing mechanism in support of legislation, so a total ban on smoking may give us better and healthy results. How to cite the article: Vadvadgi VH, Sanjay V, Gupte A, Kamatagi L, Kathariya MD, Gugawad SC. Role of Regulatory Approach in the Prevention of Smoking among Professional Students in India. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(1):95-9.
Keywords: Anti-smoking legislation; professional students; smoking.