Effect of Nicotine Consumption on Oral Health and Hygiene Practices Among Medical and Non-Medical Undergraduate Students: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Islamabad and Peshawar

Objective: To examine patterns of nicotine consumption, oral hygiene practices, and associated oral health outcomes among undergraduate students in Pakistan, with a comparative focus on medical and non-medical disciplines across two major cities in Pakistan. Study Design: A comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted from March 2024 to September 2024 among undergraduate students enrolled in selected medical and non-medical universities across two major cities in Pakistan —Islamabad and Peshawar. Methods: A total of 500 undergraduate students were invited to participate; 364 completed the survey (response rate: 73%). Participants were recruited using a structured convenience sampling approach through classroom invitations and institutional online platforms. Data were collected via a validated, self-administered questionnaire. Responses were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and associations were assessed using the chi- square test, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was 21 ± 1.64 years. Nicotine use was reported by 58%, mainly via vapes/e-cigarettes (48%) and cigarettes (35%). Use was higher among males than females (75.2% vs. 24.8%, P = 0.012), with no difference between medical and non-medical students (49.5% vs. 50.5%, P = 0.285). Oral hygiene habits were similar, though users reported greater use of adjunctive aids (90.5% vs. 75.3%, P < 0.001). Oral health problems were significantly higher among users: oral lesions (38.1% vs. 13.6%), decay (40.5% vs. 11.7%), xerostomia (52.9% vs. 16.2%), bleeding gums (41.4% vs. 29.2%), halitosis (20.0% vs. 9.1%), discoloration (51.0% vs. 29.9%), and sensitivity (61.4% vs. 32.5%) (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Despite comparable hygiene behaviors across groups, nicotine consumption was strongly associated with multiple oral health problems. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted health promotion, oral hygiene education, and campus-based nicotine cessation interventions to address this public health concern among young adults. How to cite this: Sultan S, Niaz MO, Awais J, Bashir S, Tahira K, Khosa ZA. Effect of Nicotine Consumption on Oral Health and Hygiene Practices among Medical and Non-Medical Undergraduate Students: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Islamabad and Peshawar. Life and Science. 2025; 6(4): 528-535. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.891