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ORIGINAL RESEARCH

The impact of smoking and energy drinks on the quality of life of students

Sukhoverkhova EA , Kopylov AS , Popov VI
About authors

Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, Voronezh, Russia

Correspondence should be addressed: Alexander S. Kopylov
Studencheskaya, 10, Voronezh, 394036, Russia: ur.xednay@volypok.ainas

About paper

Author contribution: the authors have made equal contributions to this publication.

Compliance with ethical standards: the study was consistent with the principles of biomedical ethics. The survey was anonymous, which ensured confidentiality of the information provided. Each participant submitted a signed informed consent form before the survey.

Received: 2025-12-26 Accepted: 2026-01-17 Published online: 2026-03-20
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The high prevalence of smoking and consumption of energy drinks among students is a significant medical and social problem. This study aimed to investigate the impact of these harmful habits on the quality of life of students of the Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, and to assess their awareness of the risks associated with such bad habits. We invited 442 second- and third-year students from the medical, pediatric, and dental faculties to complete O.I. Gubina's Quality of Life Assessment questionnaire. Energy drink drinking was found to be more prevalent than smoking; male participants practiced these habits significantly more often than female. Electronic cigarettes were the most common form of nicotine consumption. We established significant correlations of smoking with respiratory symptoms (the closest — with cough, r = 0.489; p < 0.05), and consumption of energy drinks — with tachycardia (r = 0.864; p < 0.05), sleep disorders (r = 0.251; p < 0.05), and headache (r = 0.217; p < 0.05). The quality of life was significantly lower in the groups of students with harmful habits, and the median values were minimal when the said habits were combined, especially on the "Health" and "Spirituality and Healthy Lifestyle" scales. Despite the awareness of harm, a significant part of students do not intend to give up harmful habits. The results of the study emphasize the need to develop prevention programs aimed at risk groups, primarily young men and people with combined addiction.

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