The changes in smoking stigmatization during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the changes in smoking stigmatization in relation to an individual's smoking status after the COVID-19 outbreak. Study design: A 2 (before vs. after COVID-19) X 2 (smoking status: smoker vs. non-smoker) factorial design was developed. Methods: Two national surveys were conducted, one each before (between January 7th and 15th, 2020) and after (between January 26th and February 18th, 2021) the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea. A total of 7296 representative adult responses were finalized. Respondents were categorized into two groups: non-smokers and smokers. Smoking stigma was measured in two ways: social and personal. Results: In general, smoking stigmatization intensified after the COVID-19 outbreak. However, there was a discrepancy in responses based on smoking status-non-smokers exhibited a heightened negative stigma toward smokers, whereas smokers had generous perspectives about themselves. Conclusions: The health-oriented environment generated by the response to COVID-19 is leading to increased stigmatization of smokers who pose a risk to public health. However, the discrepancy between smokers and non-smokers shows that social efforts are required to alter smokers' generous views about themselves and to persuade them to cease smoking.

COVID-19 impact on hygiene practices for food safety in South Korea.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the influence of COVID-19 on the perception and behaviours of hygiene practices for food safety in South Korea. STUDY DESIGN: This study employed COVID-19 status (i.e. before or after the outbreak), gender and age groups as independent variables, and perceived relevance and behaviour frequency of hygiene practices for food safety as dependent variables. METHODS: Respondents were asked to answer questions about the perceived relevance and behaviour frequency of hygiene practices before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in an online survey with a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Respondents' perceived relevance and behaviour frequency of hygiene practices increased after the COVID-19 outbreak. This trend was seen in both genders and across all age groups. In addition, the enhanced perception that hygiene practices are related to food safety had a strong relationship with following hygiene practices. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that COVID-19 made people more aware of maintaining personal hygiene, leading to a noticeable change in the food safety environment, and subsequently prevention of viral transmission. In particular, the COVID-19 outbreak has influenced the communal eating culture by highlighting good hygiene practices, such as taking individual servings of food from communal dishes and using personal plates.