No Smoking Approach in the Educational Institute cafeteria to strengthen the Health System in Lahore, Pakistan

Introduction: Tobacco control strategies are structured around three main pillars: prevention, protection, and treatment. Prevention is essential to discourage new individuals, particularly young people, from starting to smoke, and it is primarily carried out through educational initiatives. Aim of the study: To report the experiences of nursing students from the University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan, regarding smoking prevention and cessation activities conducted by a Basic Health Unit team at the Higher Education cafeteria in Lahore, Pakistan. Method: This descriptive case study was conducted between March and May 2025. Fourth-year nursing students at a primary care unit in Lahore, Pakistan, carried out the activity. The target audience consisted of patients and their caregivers, with approximately 30 individuals present in the Educational Institute cafeteria on the day of the event. Results: The study reveals a strong post-intervention increase in knowledge regarding the dangers of passive smoking. Before the session, many participants were only partially aware of the risks of secondhand smoke. After the dialogue, mean knowledge scores rose to nearly 7 on a 10-point scale. This indicates that the Higher Education Institute cafeteria model successfully conveys nuanced information. For example, the greater toxin exposure of passive smokers helps dispel common misconceptions. Discussion: Specific actions often provide only a partial view of the problem, hindering a comprehensive understanding of its origin, development, and the intervention's long-term impact. In the activity carried out, the main limitation was the short period available, which restricted broader contact with the population of that region. This reduced the possibility of identifying the local profile, strengthening bonds, and monitoring the progress of those interested in the cessation plan. Conclusion: involving nursing students in the implementation of such interventions proves highly enriching, as it integrates theory with practice, reinforces learning, fosters leadership skills, and prepares them for the challenges of professional life. It is important to emphasise that the entire process must be carried out under the supervision of a teacher and with the collaboration of the multidisciplinary health team. Keywords: No smoking, Cessation, Tobacco, Nicotine, Nursing students, cafeteria, Primary health care, Multi-disciplinary Team.