Cigarette Consumption and Its Relationship with Subjective Well-Being in University Students: A Comparative Analysis between Bogotá and Bucaramanga

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between cigarette consumption and subjective well-being among university students in two Colombian cities: Bogotá and Bucaramanga. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational study was conducted using secondary data from 895 undergraduate students enrolled in public and private universities. Cigarette use (item P_4) was measured on a five-point Likert scale. Subjective well-being was assessed through composite scores from the validated Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire, including emotional well-being, social relationships, and academic-family balance. Bivariate analyses were conducted using chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and non-parametric equivalents. Spearman correlations assessed the association between smoking and well-being indicators. A multiple linear regression model was applied, adjusting for gender, city, and academic semester. Results: Most students reported never smoking cigarettes, with a higher prevalence of frequent and very frequent use in Bucaramanga. Statistically significant but weak positive correlations were found between cigarette consumption and well-being scores (ρ range: 0.100–0.148). Multivariate analysis showed that cigarette consumption was not a significant predictor of overall subjective well-being. However, gender and city of residence were significant: women and students in Bucaramanga reported lower well-being scores. Academic semester also influenced well-being, with early-semester students reporting higher scores. Conclusions: Cigarette use did not appear to be a direct predictor of subjective well-being when adjusted for sociodemographic variables. Findings suggest that smoking behavior in university settings may be associated with emotional coping or socialization patterns. Prevention strategies should adopt a comprehensive, gender-sensitive, and context-specific approach that addresses the social and emotional dimensions of tobacco use.