Lived Experience of Smoking Students: A Phenomenological Study

Background: Considering the growing trend of smoking among university students and the important role of students in the future of society, it is necessary to recognize the components and dimensions of this behavior to design effective interventions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the lived experience of smoking students.Methods: This is a phenomenological qualitative study. The study population included students studying at Fasa University of Medical Sciences with smoking experience. Seven students were investigated using in-depth interviews and purposive and snowballing sampling. Sampling was continued until data saturation. Interviews were conducted and analyzed at the same time using Colaizzi method through MAXQDA software version ۱۰.Results: The results of the present study indicated that the lived experience of smoking students consists of two main themes: positive experiences which included subcategories such as feeling peace, being prestigious, and attracting the attention of the opposite sex and negative experiences included subcategories of feeling guilty, physical-psychological problems, and social stigma.Conclusion: The results of the present study provide the basis for recognizing the problems of university students to reduce the smoking-related problems. These results can be used for educational and cultural interventions and emotional and social support as well as for improving the educational and life style.