Evaluation of Effectiveness of Peer Education on Smoking Behaviour

Abstract

Smoking is the most important cause of disability, death and preventable illness in Turkey and all over the world. Cigarette smoking affects a large part of society with increasing frequency and is propagated among young people. Therefore, the tobacco industry tar- gets youth, adolescents and women. Decreasing the age of smoking cigarettes causes exposure of the cigarettes effects to the smokers for a longer period. Adolescents start smoking due primarily to a desire to imitate adults, peer pressure, affectation and easy access to cigarettes. A great impact on the behaviour of human beings is the adolescent peer group. This effect is valid for both risky and safe behaviours. Peer education aims to use positive peer influence on their behaviour since peers are positive models for each other. In recent years, the increase in tobacco consumption has led to increased need for per education. The purpose of this article is to explain how to use peer education in changing the behaviour of adolescent smoking.