Research indicates that while the rate of smoking among young adults has decreased over the years, it still remains a significant concern (Public Health England, 2020). Despite the efforts of public health campaigns to educate young people about the dangers of smoking, many university students still choose to smoke. A recent study estimates that over 127.000 young adults (18-25) in the UK start smoking regularly each year (Cancer Research UK, 2024). Despite the well- known health risks and the decrease in smoking-related advertisements, many young people continue to engage in smoking. Understanding the factors is essential for designing effective intervention strategies for students at University College Jersey (UCJ). The aim of the research was to investigate the factors influencing university students at UCJ to engage in smoking, despite widespread awareness of its health risks. This study will seek to understand the underlying psychological motivations, social influences and environmental factors that contribute smoking behaviours. A mixed methods design using a survey and qualitative interviews was used to answer the research question. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data and thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. The key findings were psychological and emotional drivers, social influences, cultural and environmental norms, health and fitness and sense of control. From this research, recommendations include addressing student stress coping mechanisms and revisiting policy in relation to smoking on campus.
