ABSTRACT

The study is a descriptive-survey research aimed to determine the smoking practices of

the 33 students enrolled in the second semester of the academic year 2019-2020 at Surigao

Education Center. Under the influence of Social Cognitive Learning Theory of Albert Bandura,

the researchers aimed to know the profile of the respondents and their smoking practices in terms

of smoking initiation, smokeless tobacco usage, smoking location, cigars and pipe use, peer behaviors,

alcohol-related smoking behavior, and stress-related smoking behavior.

Majority of the respondents are 21-25 years old, male, Roman Catholic, third-year

students and enrolled in BSMT program. Majority of the respondents smoked cigarette rather

than smokeless tobacco or cigars and pipes. They tend to puff outdoor and they are surrounded

with either one up to more than four closest friends who also smoke, leading them to feel the

urge to smoke whenever they are with them. Significantly, they did not feel the pressure to

engage with smoking when they were in high school or even when they were already enrolled at

SEC. Some of them have control with their smoking behavior while drinking liquor, yet they

deliberately confessed that they are more likely to engage smoking while they drink alcoholic

beverages.

Based on the findings, it is proposed a strengthen smoking ban program inside the

institution and provide symposiums or seminars that will enlighten and widen the knowledge of

the students on the possible effects of smoking in different aspects of their life.

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