Material and Method: Multiple cross-sectional studies were conducted after three major campaigns were launched between 2007 and 2011, the Deans’ Summit on Tobacco Control, implemented tobacco control into the medical curriculum, and 100% smoke-free hospitals and medical schools. The results of two rounds of GHPSS among third year medical students across the nation in 2006 and 2011 were compared.

Results: Overall prevalence of active cigarette smoking remained unchanged at 2.6%. Passive cigarette smoke exposure in public areas appeared to decrease slightly over time. In the most recent national survey, the prevalence of passive smoke exposure was 53.7%. Moreover, the number of student that agreed with the smoking ban in pubs, bars, and nightclubs increased significantly from 80.8 to 90.5%. There was significant improvement in the cessation training among medical students (p<0.001). A significant increase in the number of student that agreed that healthcare personnel needed specific training in cessation techniques (p = 0.004) and should always advise their patients to quit smoking (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Nationwide tobacco control campaigns in Thai medical schools significantly improved the attitudes toward smoking cessation and cessation training among their students, although overall prevalence of active and passive cigarette smoking was unchanged.

Keywords: Campaigns, Cessation training, Curriculum, Medical students, Thailand, Tobacco use