%A CChandrasekaran, S %A Selvakumar, J %A Raghavan, R %A Rani, K %T Awareness of ill-effects of Smoking Among Male Patients of SBDC&H %9 Article %D 2005 %J Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry %P 7-13 %V 5 %N 5 %U https://journals.lww.com/aphd/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2005;volume=5;issue=5;spage=7;epage=13;aulast=CChandrasekaran %8 January 1, 2005 %X Objectives: The survey was undertaken to assess the awareness of ill-effects of smoking among the smokers, beginning of their habit and their efforts to stop smoking. Materials and methods: 500 smokers were randomly selected among the male patients of Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital and their views were elicited through a questionnaire, random samples selected by convenient sampling method. Results: In the survey, 41.2% were 25-35 yrs old. A majority of respondents began smoking before 25 yrs of age (83.6%). While 67.2 % were self-employed, friends influenced 77.4% and 45.2% smoke 5-10 cigarettes everyday. About, 88% think smoking can affect other organs, of which 65.2% say lungs are affected. While 35.4% smoke to relieve tension, 35.2% smoke "just like that". And 37% think the ill effect is bad breath. While 54.2% of people cough during smoking, 81.4% know passive smoking is harmful and 92 % don't influence others. 71.8% want to stop smoking of which 30.6% on advice, 28.2% because of awareness. About 60% of samples say television can spread awareness. About 61% has visited a dentist of which 73.1% was advised to stop smoking. Conclusions: Most smokers are aware of the ill effects. Thus the study gives hope that a smoking-free society can be built. %0 Journal Article %I Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications %@ 2319-5932