Smoking Behavior among Jordanians: Physical, Psychological, Social, and Economic Reasons

Abstract

ObjectivesTo highlight the physical, psychological, social, and economic reasons related to sex differences in smoking behaviors in Jordan. MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among Jordanian adult smokers. ResultsSex was a significant predictor of physical reasons related to smoking; when controlling for other factors (t765 = 5.027; P < 0.001), women were more affected by physical factors than were men. In addition, work status was a significant predictor of physical reasons (t765 = −2.563; P = 0.011), as was the price of cigarettes (t765 = 2.224; P = 0.026). Age was a significant predictor of psychological reasons (t765 = −3.092; P = 0.002): younger individuals were more likely to state psychological factors as their reason for smoking than were older individuals. Conversely, sex was a significant predictor (t765 = 2.798; P = 0.005) of social reasons for smoking, with more men than women reporting social motivations. ConclusionsWomen were more likely to smoke for physical factors that are positively correlated with the price of cigarettes, rendering them less responsive to an increase in the price of cigarettes. Conversely, men were more likely to smoke for social reasons that are negatively correlated with the price of cigarettes; thus, men are more responsive to an increase in the price of cigarettes. Future public policies aiming to combat smoking in Jordan should consider sex differences in smoking behavior because one policy may not necessarily fit all.