Socio-Demographic Factors Of Smoking

Smoking is a behavior developed in correlation with the development of the urbanization of towns, cities, and countries. Factors that greatly contribute to the development of such behavior are clearly exhibited in the society. This can be manifested with the minorities of the society. Researches were conducted to study the nature of the people, especially, of the teens that were found to be engaged in smoking activities. Factors were analyzed and measured for prevention and/or rehabilitation was synthesized.

Socio-Demographic

Socio-demographic factors can be described in socio-economic status, age and gender.

Socio-economic status (SES)

Adler (1994) defines socio-economic status as a composite index comprising an individual’s economic

It is illegal to sell or supply cigarettes to minors age 17 and below. This restriction on selling and supplying cigarettes to young people before they can legally purchase is an important factor in the onset of youth smoking.With respect to smoking, access to cigarettes and smoking initiation are closely interlinked. According to O 'Connell (1981) being able to readily acquire cigarettes (particularly, through retail channels) has been found to significantly correlate with increases in the frequency of smoking by young people. Media

Wellman (2006) stated that exposure to pro-tobacco marketing and advertising also has important influences on adolescent smoking behavior. Youth exposed to tobacco advertising and smoking in movies, magazines and other media report increased positive attitudes about smoking, intention to smoke, and smoking initiation. He also found that compared to unexposed youth, exposed youth had approximately 50% greater odds of having positive attitudes toward tobacco use or expressing an intention to use it in the future.

School Related

According to Tackling Tobacco Action on Smoking and Disadvantage, there are many effects of smoking to social and personal aspects of a smoker such as social stigma and isolation, lack of freedom and dependency. Some smokers feel that they are being looked down on. As smoking rates decline, many people do not want to be exposed to other peoples’ smoke and are intolerant of smoking. This social unacceptance is likely to increase as the number of smokers continues to drop. Having to worry about where you can go and whether you can smoke. This will intensify as smoking restrictions increase.

Financial

According to Tackling Tobacco Action on Smoking and Disadvantage, smoking can create a tremendous financial burden for smokers and their families. Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day costs about $100 a week or $5200 a year. It’s not surprising that research shows smoking increases financial stress and reduces material wellbeing. 42% of low income smokers report spending money on cigarettes rather than on essentials like food. The poorest smoking households in NSW spend nearly 20% of their income on tobacco.