OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of smoking behavior among university students in Pakistan.  METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in two provinces, KPK and Punjab of Pakistan. Only smoking  students’ population of the universities were included. Six univerties were included in the study from four cities of these two provinces. These cities were selected for study as they can provide ethnic mix of student response residing in these areas. A total of 750 questionnaires were administered out of which 524 questionnaire were received giving the response rate of 69.8% of which 419 were males and 105 were females from different universities. RESULTS: Among 524 respondents, 419 were male and 105 were female students. Students were recruited regarding socio-demographic factors, smoking history of students, their families, friends and class fellows/roommates and place of residence. Students having family history of smoking (23.87% of males; 34.29% of females), roommates (21% of males; 5.71% females), close friends (57.51% of males; 54.28% of females) and class fellows (37.23% of males; F=36.19% of females) were significantly associated with smoking. Public health awareness on media and warnings printed on tobacco products (cigarettes and flavors) had no statistically significant association with respondents’ continuation, and cessation status. CONCLUSIONS: The Shisha smokers thought that shisha smoking is less harmful than cigarette smoking. It is suggested that the factors which influence Pakistani students to smoke may not be significantly different from counties with a broader evidence base. There is a need to adopt the provisions of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) with respect to smoke free places, public education and treatment for tobacco cessation. Steps should betaken by the government to increase people’s awareness on the health hazards of tobacco smoking (Shisha and cigerretes) and to prevent young generation from smoking.