A study on 285 students and teachers of a nurse professional school was undertaken in two hospital of Genoa. A questionnaire proposed by World Health Organization and by Italian League Against Cancer was employed to collect data on smoking habits and behaviour. Subjects included in the present study were selectively chosen as they are in a transitional phase between school application and working environment within the hospital practice. Although these sample of hospital personnel showed a slow trend toward quit smoking, the rates of smokers are rather high, both in the youth (55%) and in the teachers. Our results showed that 87% of subjects interview agreed with the necessity to avoid smoking within the hospital environment; young nurses generally lack a specific knowledge about the hazard of smoking and more detailed information is requested for a correct education and prevention of patients' health.