Abstract:
The objectives of this study titled 'The Smoking Behavior of Female Students in The Intemational College Silpakom University' were 1) to study environmental causes affecting smoking decisions of the first year Diploma Hotel Management Female Students, International College, Silpakorn University; 2) to study the smoking behavior of the first year
Diploma Hotel Management Female Students, International College; 3) to acquire knowledge sharing process in a peer group of smoking and the suitable approach to reduce smoking behavior among female students.
Findings drawn from the in-depth interviews of 15 first year Diploma Hotel Management female students in Silpakorn University interviewees clearly indicated that the main cause came from female smokers because of their interests, a peer pressure group and social environment; 2) There were two groups of smokers found - they were smoking-addicted and the non-addicted. The smokers from the first group always smoked after meals while the latter group occasionally smoked especially when they hung out with their friends; 3) knowledge sharing process about smoking resulted from information
exchange among smokers. Interestingly, female smokers were well aware that smoking would adversely affect their health and they knew its demerits. Despite knowing the negative sides of cigarettes, female smokers cannot stop smoking.
In order to reduce their smoking habits, organizations concerning cigarettes and tobacco control should 1) educate the smokers; 2) create smoking-free environment; 3) set up mechanism that can reduce cigarette consumption; 4) create network and body of knowledge concerning smoking reduction.