Windhoek — A STUDY on the smoking habits of students at the University of Namibia (Unam) suggests that at least 17 per cent of them smoke nicotine.

About 16 per cent of Unam's student smokers also use dagga.

Another 5 per cent of the smokers say they use cocaine, while 2,3 per cent have told researchers they are heroin users.

According to the findings, male students are four times more likely to be smokers than female students among the 10 000-strong university population.

Of the smoking population, 85 per cent can be classified as heavy smokers - putting them at great risk of acquiring a tobacco-induced illness.

The study, begun last year by three academics, sampled 10 per cent of the student population, embracing all age categories and years of study.

The research was intended to determine attitudes to smoking, smoking behaviour and why those who smoke do so, as well as to determine students' knowledge of associated health risks.

In comparison with similar surveys carried out at other African universities, about twice as many male students smoke in Namibia as smoke at Kenyan universities, and three times as many as at South African universities.

About half Unam's smokers are in the law and humanities faculties.

Those studying in the medical and health fields are less likely to be smokers.

Most of the university's smoking population is under the age of 24, and the research indicates that most of them have been smoking since they were 15 or even younger.

The researchers link this phenomenon with younger students' quest for coping mechanisms to reduce tension, cope with stress and experience pleasure, but without mental exertion.

Having an income of one's own also plays a pivotal role in turning a non-smoker into a smoker; students dependent on income from family sources, loans or bursaries are less likely to smoke.

Once again, males are more likely to use highly toxic substances.

It appears from the study that, in Namibia, trends in smoking among children and the youth have persisted despite health interventions.

The report says: "It raises a concern, because there are still individuals who are not aware of health problems such as lung cancer they may contract should they be exposed to tobacco smoking, being active or passive smokers".

The final report recommends the University develop and enact measures to curb tobacco smoking on all its campuses and centres to protect students from exposure to active and passive smoking.

It has gone so far as to call for Unam campuses to be declared "tobacco-free zones" and for cigarette sales to be banned on them.