Cross-sectional study that aimed to identify motives that contribute to people of a high level school become or not smokers. The data were collected in 2009, with specific questionnaires, statistically analyzed. The sample was of 426 subjects, of these 21 (5%) smokers, 26 (6.1%) ex-smokers and 376 (88.9%) nonsmokers. The main motivation of smokers to cease smoking are health problems arising from the cigarette and among factors that difficult this process are the dependence on nicotine. Ex-smokers say that emotional issue and pleasure of smoking can make them smoke again, and they keep in abstinence because they are determined not want to smoke. Nonsmokers report they don't like cigarette, smell and cigarette smoke. The motives to be or not a smoker can subsidize the realization of actions in health education, with a view to restrain the begining and promote the cessation.
Smoking; Public health nursing; Motivation; Health education
