Abstract
Public support is crucial for advancing tobacco control policies. We investigated adolescent support for such policies, and its association with potential factors of social denormalization (SD) beliefs of smoking, tobacco industry denormalization (TID) beliefs (negative perceptions of the industry), and harm perceptions of smoking. In a cross-sectional survey in Hong Kong, 13,964 secondary school students (mean age 15.0 years, 51.3% boys) reported their support (yes/no) for each of 14 tobacco control policies (e.g., further increase tobacco tax). Tobacco-related beliefs and perceptions, and smoking status were also measured. Support for the 14 tobacco control policies ranged from 17.6% to 54.1%. In current non-smokers, SD beliefs, TID beliefs, and harm perceptions were all associated with support for all tobacco control policies. In current smokers, the study factors were each associated with support for two to three policies. To conclude, support for tobacco control policies was weak to moderate in Hong Kong adolescents. SD beliefs, TID beliefs, and harm perceptions of smoking were associated with policy support in current non-smokers. In current smokers, the corresponding associations were less consistent or weaker.
Highlights
Public support is crucial for advancing tobacco control policies
We examined the associations of Social denormalization (SD) beliefs, Tobacco industry denormalization (TID) beliefs, and harm perceptions of smoking with support for each of the 14 tobacco control policies and with the total number of policies supported, with mutual adjustment of the study factors
We found that SD beliefs, TID beliefs, and harm perceptions of smoking were associated both with support for individual tobacco control policies and with the total number of policies supported in current non-smokers
Summary
Public support is crucial for advancing tobacco control policies. Strong public support in polls and signature petitions have helped achieve legislative successes [1,2]. Some failures were partly due to inadequate public support, leaving lawmakers more susceptible to influencing by the tobacco industry [3]. Inadequate public support was partly to blame for poor compliance to smokefree laws [4,5]. The tobacco industry (TI), recognizing the importance of public opinions, has exploited various tactics to mobilize public resistance to tobacco control policies [6,7]. An important task in tobacco control is to garner public support for policies. Tobacco industry denormalization (TID) is an underused approach that exposes the industry’s deceitful and manipulative tactics [9].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International journal of environmental research and public health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
