To the issue of assessing health risks of tobacco smoking for adolescent schoolchildren

Nowadays, tobacco smoking is an acute social problem, especially among young people. As a rule, the habit of using tobacco products forms at the school age. The current trend in developing tobacco addiction is not only the decrease in the age at onset of the tobacco use, but also the prevalence of smoking among school-age girls. In combination with other environmental factors, this can not only lead to the development of diseases but also affect their reproductive health in the future. The article describes the results of a sociological study of adolescent schoolchildren, Grades 9–11, of a lyceum in the city of Voronezh and an evaluation of the nicotine intake and exposure among schoolchildren of different ages. The number of cigarettes smoked per day was used as the basis for health risk assessment (age at risk, risk groups, and the time of risk acceleration) according to MR 2.1.10.0033–11, Health risk assessment of lifestyle factors. We established that the age at risk of addiction was 15 years while adolescents smoking more than 10 ± 1 cigarettes per day formed the risk group and the time of the risk acceleration was 3–4 years. Based on the results of our research, we proposed comprehensive actions aimed at the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among adolescents in educational institutions including interaction of schoolchildren with universities, future employers, and parents using mass media, the Internet, and outreach events. The article develops the scientific direction of establishing a method approach to assessing tobacco smoking as a health risk factor for schoolchildren aged 15–18.