Muscat – A newly published scientific study featured in the Oman Medical Journal has highlighted critical public health concerns regarding tobacco consumption and secondhand smoke exposure among male adolescents.

According to the investigation, 17.6% of the young male participants reported having previously experimented with tobacco products, while the prevalence of current smokers was documented at 7.5%.

The data reveals that the typical age for initial experimentation generally occurs between 14 and 15 years old. In addition to active consumption, the findings indicate that over 40% of the surveyed adolescents are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in both enclosed and open public environments.

Globally, tobacco consumption remains a leading cause of preventable mortality, claiming more than 8 million lives annually, a figure projected to rise significantly toward the year 2030.

Within the Sultanate of Oman, the economic burden associated with tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure is substantial, having exceeded $600 million in the year 2016 alone, which accounted for approximately 1% of the national gross domestic product.

Although the study noted a relatively high level of awareness regarding the general dangers of tobacco among participants, several persistent misconceptions continue to influence social behavior and peer perception.

The researchers utilised a structured questionnaire based on World Health Organization guidelines, gathering responses from school settings. To mitigate these rising public health challenges, study authors strongly recommend the implementation of comprehensive intervention strategies, the reinforcement of public smoking bans, and the expansion of targeted educational programs designed to protect young populations from early exposure.