Adolescents' perceptions about smokers in Karnataka, India
Upendra M Bhojani1, Maya A Elias, N Devadasan
1Institute of Public Health, 250, 2 C cross, 2 C main, Girinagar 1st phase, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. upendra@iphindia.org
BMC Public Health
|July 16, 2011
Summary
Adolescents in India hold largely negative views of smokers, particularly females. Tobacco control efforts should be gender-specific and address social perceptions, not just health risks.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Tobacco Control
Background:
- High prevalence of tobacco use among Indian adolescents necessitates understanding societal perceptions.
- Limited research exists on adolescent views of smokers and its impact on tobacco control in India.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore Indian adolescents' perceptions of smokers.
- To investigate the implications of these perceptions on tobacco control strategies.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with stratified random sampling of 1087 students.
- Anonymous, self-administered questionnaire with mixed-methods data collection.
- Quantitative analysis using Chi-square; qualitative analysis through inductive coding.
Main Results:
- Majority (84.6%) reported negative perceptions of smokers; 20.4% reported positive perceptions.
- Female students showed significantly higher disapproval rates for smoking compared to males.
- Perceptions linked to social norms, stress, and awareness of harms; gendered stereotypes observed for female smokers.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent stereotypes of smokers, especially females, are predominantly negative.
- Gender-specific tobacco control interventions involving peers, family, and schools are recommended.
- Interventions should address social constructs of smoking beyond just health effects.
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