Introduction: The early age of tobacco smoking initiation among adolescents reported in Sri Lanka highlights the need to initiate tobacco prevention at a very young age.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking, the knowledge, and attitudes on prevention of tobacco smoking among schooling adolescents in government schools in the age group of 13-15 years in the Kandy district in 2018.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1395 students in selected government schools in the Kandy district. The subjects were selected using a stratified multi-stage cluster sampling method. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used.
Results: The response rate was 97.1%. The Prevalence of ever tobacco smoking in the age group of 13 to 15 years, was 6.02% (95% CI, 4.83% - 7.40%). The prevalence of current smokers was 4.16% (3.23% - 5.24%). Satisfactory knowledge of the harmful effects of tobacco smoking was shown by 49.6% (n=692) of ever smokers. The majority (71.5%, n=997) showed favourable attitudes towards the prevention of smoking. There was a higher likelihood of smoking among students who had unsatisfactory knowledge (OR = 8.203; 95% CI = 4.142 – 16.247) and attitudes (OR=1.172; 95% CI=1.112 – 1.225) compared to students who had satisfactory knowledge and attitudes.
Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco smoking in the selected age group was high in the Kandy district compared to the national rates. School interventions should target more students who already smoke to improve their knowledge and attitudes.