Tobacco use among medical students in Europe: results of a multicentre study using the Global Health Professions Student Survey

Objective: To examine smoking prevalence, knowledge and attitudes, and tobacco cessation training among university students attending European medical schools using the Global Health Professional Students Survey approach. Methods: A cross-country, cross-sectional study was performed among 12 medical schools in four countries in Europe (Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain). The survey was performed during the second semester of the third year of study from March to May 2009. Results: In total, 2249 subjects entered the study (overall response rate 92%). The overall prevalence of smoking among medical students was 29.3% (95% confidence interval 28.1-34.7), with percentages ranging from 28% in Ge…