A qualitative study conducted by undergraduate nursing students at the University of Sharjah explored how stress influences smoking perceptions and behaviors among their peers. Through interviews with 30 students, the study identified academic workload, clinical responsibilities, examinations, and the fear of making mistakes as major sources of stress. Participants reported that this stress significantly affected their emotional well-being, physical health, and academic performance. While students commonly relied on healthy coping strategies—such as social support, prayer, music, exercise, and relaxation—some perceived smoking as a temporary means of managing stress during challenging periods. However, smoking was generally viewed negatively, as it conflicts with the professional responsibilities of nurses and the prevailing cultural and religious values in the UAE. Ultimately, these findings highlight the importance of strengthening stress-management initiatives, counseling services, and health-promotion programs within nursing education to foster resilience and academic success.