Abstract
Cigarette smoking continues to destroy many lives across the globe. This study was conducted to evaluate the various contexts of cigarette smoking in a community in Bayelsa state of Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out utilizing questionnaires administered randomly to 434 consenting respondents. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 20. There were more males (61.8%), singles (48.8%); Christians (88.5%), Ijaws (56.2%); 42.2% were aged 31-60 years; 30.2% and 28.8% were respectively students and civil servants. Smoking prevalence was 45.9%; 47.2% started smoking at age 16-25; 30% always smoked to relieve stress; 59.3% of smokers smoked 1-5 sticks a day; 66% also smoked Indian hemp; 93.3% were aware that smokers were liable to die young; 60% still smoked because they were addicted to it; 82.7% attempted to stop smoking; respondents complained of cough (62.7%), chest pain (20.7%); friends (56.0%) and relatives (20%) were the major influencers; 26.3% had fathers that smoked; friends and relatives had high influence; 55.5% were not in favour of non-smoking policy in public places. Gender and marital status were correlated with smoking prevalence. Public enlightenment and smoking-cessation programmes are urgently needed in this community.
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