Control and determinants of the tobacco epidemic and the use of other tobacco products among children and adolescents in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship.

Introduction: Tobacco smoking remains one of the most significant public health challenges, particularly among children and adolescents, for whom early smoking initiation increases the risk of long-term addiction and severe health consequences. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of cigarette and other tobacco product use among adolescents aged 12-16 years in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship and to analyze the factors influencing this phenomenon. Materials and method: The study involved a survey conducted among 865 students aged 12-16 years from the Subcarpathian Voivodeship. The research tool was a questionnaire comprising 79 questions addressing nicotine initiation, tobacco product availability, and peer behaviors. Data were collected between March and November 2019. Educational institutions were randomly selected, and parents or legal guardians were informed via an electronic journal. The study was conducted with the consent of the Subcarpathian Education Authority and the Bioethics Committee of the University of Rzeszow. Results: The results indicated that 19.2% of respondents had experimented with cigarettes, with an average initiation age of 14 years. Notably, 31.1% of participants perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than traditional cigarettes, highlighting the need for more intensive health education efforts. Most respondents reported smoking initiation due to peer influence, and some were able to purchase cigarettes independently, despite legal restrictions. Conclusion: The findings underscore the urgent need to intensify preventive measures, strengthen health education, and enhance enforcement of tobacco sales regulations to effectively curb the tobacco epidemic among the youngest populations. Implications: The study provides valuable data on the factors influencing tobacco and other tobacco product use among children and adolescents in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship. The findings highlight the crucial role of the social environment, access to tobacco products, and the effectiveness of preventive measures. The obtained data may serve as a basis for developing more effective tobacco prevention strategies for young people, as well as for implementing educational programs and policy interventions aimed at reducing the availability and attractiveness of tobacco products.