While the global smoking prevalence is decreasing due to education, the total number of people who smoke worldwide will only continue to increase due to population growth. So, while it’s important to understand the role that smoking plays as a way to recognize how people are influenced to carry on this habit long term, it’s equally as important to acknowledge how systemic reinforcement within disadvantaged populations contributes to the smoking rates. After all, not everyone possesses the same access to buy e-cigs online or obtain viable information about the dangers of tobacco smoking. That being said, continue reading to learn about the influences that work against those who’re trying to make a change.
The ten countries with the highest smoking rates are:
Overall, the highest smoking rates are found in Southeast Asia and the Balkan region of Europe, however, these are the top countries worldwide:
- Kiribati (52.40%)
- Nauru (47.50%)
- Greece (42.65%)
- Serbia (41.65%)
- Russia (40.90%)
- Jordan (40.45%)
- Indonesia (39.90%)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (38.60%)
- Lebanon (38.30%)
- Chile (38.00%)
Which factors influence these smoking percentages?
Research has identified a range of factors that can uptake higher smoking rates including interacting psychological, social, economic, and cultural factors that influence smoking patterns and behaviors.
Those who smoke may have been enabled by:
- Lower-income, poor housing, and unemployment.
- Nicotine exposure during childhood.
- Financial pressure and stress.
- Anxiety and depression.
- Parental or peer examples.
- Targeted or intensive marketing by the tobacco industry.
In particular, higher smoker rates are more likely to be in environments where smoking is the norm or if friends and family members are smokers. The creation of these pro-smoking environments strongly influences the uptake of smoking, smoking patterns, and quitting intentions.
What barriers prevent quitting?
Smoking plays a pivotal role as a coping mechanism for many people and like the above bullet points, there is also a range of factors that have been identified that may work as barriers for those who are trying to quit smoking, including:
- May possess a heavier nicotine dependence.
- Less awareness of the harms of smoking and nicotine addiction.
- Misconceptions about the variety of available cessation services.
- Cost of accessing nicotine replacement therapies (ex. It’s cheaper to buy e-cigs online in bulk rather than ordering one or two at a time).
- Financial stress.
- Lack of a support system.
- Low confidence in ability to stop smoking.
- Smoking has worked as a pleasuring aid to relieve boredom.
What do you find most interesting about the above collection of information? Drop a comment below to start a conversation.
