Objective: the aim of the study is the clarification of the views and attitudes of the nursing students of TEI of Athens with regard to smoking, as well as the examination of the factors related to the establishment of that habit, with the final target of preventive intervention. Material-Methods: 350 students were the sample of the study. The collection of the data was based on an epidemiologic research which was carried out from February until June 2003. We utilized the Strategic Analytic System program for the statistical analysis of data. We used x2 test for statistical control. Outcomes: 43.4% of the students were found to be smokers. The age of onset was 15-18 years of age. There was a statistically significant difference among various age groups (p=0,002). A significant raise was noted among student smokers at the senior year of studies (52%). The existence of another smoker in the family was found to influence significantly the onset of smoking (p=0,001). The influence of peers was also found to influence significantly the onset of smoking (p=0,001). Conclusions: there is an urgent need of developing and implementing health education programs in adolescence and adult life aiming at preventing the onset as well as stopping smoking.