Relationship between social norms and smoking cessation among male smokers in three cities of China / 上海预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the relationship between social norms and smoking intention, among male smokers in China. Methods A total 3 621 (with 95.8% of effective response rate) male smokers were selected and investigated with questionnaires from August to November in 2013.Univariate logistic regressions and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to find the associations between social norms, smoking intention and quitting attempts. Results Smokers perceived low pro-quitting social norms from their family members, friends and other people around.With a 1 point increase in pro-quitting social norms score, smokers′ willingness to quit in the next 6 months increased by 69% (OR=1.69, 95%CI1.48-1.94), and smokers were 86% more likely to quit(OR=1.86, 95%CI1.66-2.08). Conclusion Pro-quitting social norms is proved to be an independent predictor for smoking intention, quitting attempts among male smokers in China.Therefore, future intervention should aim to establish pro-quitting social norms for smoking cessation.