Public support toward tobacco control: consumer responsiveness and policy planning

Am J Health Behav. 2012 Sep;36(5):666-80. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.36.5.9.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore individual differences in support toward antismoking policies by investigating psychosocial, socioeconomic, and demographic characteristics; smoking restrictions; smoking status; and individually perceived cigarette price.

Methods: The empirical analysis uses data from a random sample of 680 consumers and employs a bivariate semiordered probit model.

Results: Consumer responsiveness shows strong association with optimistic bias, perceived positive and negative consequences of smoking, health status, and family smoking patterns. Smoking status, gender, age, and occupation also affect antismoking policy support.

Conclusions: Public support toward tobacco control reflects potential smoking acceptance and social norms, confirming policy effectiveness and current needs for demarketing tobacco use.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Community Participation*
  • Data Collection
  • Female
  • Greece
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Policy Making*
  • Public Opinion
  • Public Policy*
  • Smoking / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Young Adult