Gender Differences In Tobacco Use Research Articles

Tobacco control policies and the multidimensional context of tobacco use by gender: The case of Türkiye.

This study aims to determine the indicators of tobacco use in Türkiye within a multidimensional context as socio-demographic, physical, behavioural, and psychological as a response to the tobacco control policies. The Turkish Health Survey data in 2014 and 2019 are employed within a probit model approach and the differences in tobacco are decomposed use by gender in order to reveal the gender differences. The samples in 2014 (total n=19,129; males=8 721, females=10,408) and 2019 (total n=17,084; males=7 784, females=9300) were restricted to 15-year-old and above. The findings indicate that being in the 30-49 age cohort, having lower education, and being married increase the likelihood of tobacco use. Future policies and campaigns should specifically target the single, pre-obese, employed males who consume alcohol. For females, the gender-specific policies should aim to reduce the prevalence of smoking, especially among separated or widows, obese, and out of the labour force. The contribution of mental health indicators on tobacco use has declined over the 5years, which could be a result of the supportive free health services in Türkiye. The findings provide evidence for a significant and increasing gender difference in tobacco use in Türkiye along with reporting that the most significant contributors to gender differences in tobacco use are alcohol consumption and education level. Even though the Ministry of Health and the government have been implementing anti-tobacco policies, legislations, and campaigns for years, the tobacco use prevalence has remained high and even increased in Türkiye.

Gender differences in tobacco use in rural Madagascar: Fresh perspectives from a 2019 health survey.

Gender differences in tobacco use in rural Madagascar: Fresh perspectives from a 2019 health survey.

Regional and gender differences in tobacco use among American Indian youth

Tobacco use is among the top preventable causes of death in the United States, and American Indian (AI) adolescents tend to use tobacco at higher rates compared to the general population. To examine regional and gender differences in rates of smoked, smokeless, and poly-tobacco use among AI adolescents as compared to White counterparts, participants were sampled as part of a larger ongoing study examining substance use among American Indian adolescents who completed the American Drug and Alcohol Survey. A multilevel analytic approach was used to examine the effects of demographic variables on tobacco use. AI disparities were present for past month and lifetime rates of smoked and smokeless tobacco use, and these disparities varied by region and gender. AI disparities in smoked tobacco use were largest in the Upper Great Lakes region, with odds of current and ever smoking among AIs 3.34 to 4.15 times that of Whites, respectively, p < .001. Regional differences in AI disparities were not significant for lifetime smokeless or poly-tobacco use, p ≥ .675. With regard to gender differences, AI disparities in reports of ever smoking were largest among females, OR = 2.61, p < .001. Similar to cigarette smoking, AI disparities in reports of ever using smoked, smokeless, or poly-tobacco were largest among females, OR = 2.51 and 2.56, respectively, p < .001. Our results suggest a need for prevention and intervention programs to be implemented with consideration for adolescents’ demographic characteristics, including geographic region, gender, and AI status.

Gender differences in tobacco use among U.S. Special Olympics athletes

BackgroundThe rise in women's tobacco use and subsequent health complications has generated an increase in gender-related tobacco use research. However, no research has examined gender's influence on tobacco use among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). ObjectiveTo examine 1) tobacco use prevalence rates among men and women with IDD, and 2) correlates of tobacco use among men and women with IDD. MethodsThis study examined gender differences in tobacco use among a sample of 3587 adult U.S. Special Olympics athletes who participated in health screenings from 2007 to 2014. The athletes were aged 18–89 (M = 32.86); 55.8% were male. Prevalence rates were calculated for men and women, and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine tobacco use's association with age, blood pressure, body mass index, family member tobacco use, and daily fruit and vegetable consumption for each gender. ResultsWomen's tobacco use prevalence was 4.1%, and men's was 9.4%. The only variable significantly associated with women's tobacco use was family member use, while men's tobacco use was associated with age, systolic blood pressure, family member tobacco use, and fruit and vegetable consumption. ConclusionResults shed light on possible courses of action for reducing tobacco use among women and men with IDD. Further research is needed to develop effective prevention and intervention approaches appropriate for people with IDD.

A Biocultural Investigation of Gender Differences in Tobacco Use in an Egalitarian Hunter-Gatherer Population.

In the developing world, the dramatic male bias in tobacco use is usually ascribed to pronounced gender disparities in social, political, or economic power. This bias might also reflect under-reporting by woman and/or over-reporting by men. To test the role of gender inequality on gender differences in tobacco use we investigated tobacco use among the Aka, a Congo Basin foraging population noted for its exceptionally high degree of gender equality. We also tested a sexual selection hypothesis-that Aka men's tobacco use is related to risk taking. Tobacco use, income, tobacco purchases, tobacco sharing, reasons for using tobacco, risk taking, and other variables were measured using structured surveys and peer reports. Tobacco use was verified by testing for salivary cotinine, a nicotine metabolite. Contrary to expectations, we found a very large male bias in tobacco use. Low levels of use among females appeared to be explained by aversions to tobacco, concerns over its negative effects on fetal health, and a desire to attract husbands, who prefer nonsmoking wives. High male use appeared to be related to a desire to enhance hunting abilities and attract and/or retain wives, who prefer husbands that smoke. We conclude that low levels of smoking by Aka women are better explained by the hypothesis that women evolved to avoid plant toxins to protect their fetuses and nursing infants. High male use might be better explained by sexual selection. We also highlight the important role that recreational drugs appear to play in hunter-gatherer sharing relationships.

Gender differences in use and expectancies of e-cigarettes: Online survey results

IntroductionGiven the rapid increase in e-cigarette use, it is important to understand factors that may contribute to their initiation and maintenance. Because gender differences in tobacco use, product preferences, and expectancies are well established, similar gender differences may exist with e-cigarettes. The aim of this study was to identify gender differences among e-cigarette users in patterns of use, reasons for initiation and maintenance, and outcome expectancies regarding e-cigarettes. MethodsParticipants (N=1815) completed an online survey from August through November, 2013. We assessed sociodemographics, smoking and e-cigarette history and use, and expectancies about e-cigarettes. ResultsWe found gender differences in type of e-cigarette used, flavors used, nicotine dosage, source of information about e-cigarettes, place of purchase, and use of e-cigarettes where smoking is prohibited. In addition, males were more likely to report initiating e-cigarette use to quit smoking due to health concerns, whereas females were more likely to report initiation based on recommendations from family and friends. Males reported higher attributions for maintenance of e-cigarette use related to positive reinforcement (enjoyment), whereas females reported higher negative reinforcement attributions (stress reduction or mood management). Males reported more positive expectancies about e-cigarettes, including taste, social facilitation, and energy, whereas women rated e-cigarettes higher for weight control. Males also reported greater addiction-related e-cigarette expectancy than females. ConclusionsMany of the gender differences with e-cigarettes parallel those previously found with traditional cigarette smoking. Although effect sizes associated with these differences were small, the results may help advance research and intervention development with respect to e-cigarette initiation, maintenance and cessation.

Tobacco use among HIV-infected individuals in a rural community in Yunnan Province, China

ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence and correlates of smoking versus tobacco chewing, and potential gender differences in tobacco use among HIV-infected individuals in a rural community in Yunnan Province, China. MethodA cross-sectional design using face-to-face interviews. ResultsAmong the participants, 301 (66.2%) were male; 79 (17.4%) were ethnic Han, 310 (68.1%) were Jingpo minority, 62 (13.6%) were Dai minority; 17.8% had no formal education and 55.6% had only primary school education; 15.4% were never married; 40% reported drinking in the past 30 days; 55.4% had ever used drugs; and 67% were currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The mean age of the study participants was 38.1 years (SD=8.8). About 62% were current cigarette smokers. Current cigarette smoking was positively associated with being male (OR=142.43, 95% CI: 35.61–569.72) and current drinking (OR=7.64, 95% CI: 2.68–21.81), as well as having ever used drugs (OR=4.03, 95% CI: 1.31–12.35). Among current smokers, 67.6% were heavy smokers (smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day). Those who were older than 46 years of age (OR=9.68, 95% CI: 1.41–66.59) and current drinkers (OR=2.75, 95% CI: 1.56–4.83) were more likely to be heavy smokers. Approximately 9% were currently used chewing tobacco. Those who were female (OR=41.29, 95% CI: 8.53–199.93) and current drinkers (OR=3.22, 95% CI: 1.02–10.16) were more likely to use chewing tobacco. All who used chewing tobacco were ethnic minorities. ConclusionsCigarette smoking and use of chewing tobacco were highly prevalent among HIV-infected individuals in rural Yunnan, underscoring the urgent need for tobacco prevention and intervention programs tailored for this population.

Snus and the public's health: a reply to some comments

<i>Snus</i> and the public's health: a reply to some comments

Gender differences in tobacco use and the commodification of tobacco in Central Borneo.

Historical and anthropological studies of non-Western societies have concluded that there is no cultural group in which the use of tobacco is substantially more common among women, although there are societies without appreciable gender differences in tobacco use. Interpretations of this pattern, influenced by well-documented changes in the United States, have concentrated on the greater use of tobacco by men, attributing it to aspects of traditional sex roles such as male power and male control of scarce resources. This analysis places more weight on the changes in both sex roles and local economies which accompany the transition from subsistence-orientated production to a market economy. Among the Lahanan, a relatively isolated group of horticulturalists living in Central Borneo, adult women, who control the production and distribution of tobacco, are more likely than men to smoke are also heavier smokers. Increasing contact with the industrialised world is rapidly changing this pattern with young men switching to manufactured cigarettes and the better educated of the young women not smoking at all. This study suggests that gender differences in tobacco use are probably inconsequential in societies where tobacco is grown for home consumption, but become increasingly substantial as manufactured cigarettes replace local tobacco products.

Gender differences in tobacco use.

Gender differences in overall tobacco use clearly exist. In general, men are more likely to use tobacco products than are women. However, this simple generalization, ignoring type of tobacco products, time, and culture, masks many more interesting gender differences in tobacco use. There are pronounced gender differences in tobacco use of specific tobacco products within some cultures but not others. Yet these differences have changed across time, including narrowing and widening of this gender gap, depending on culture and tobacco product. This article addresses these issues and presents possible psychosocial, biological, and psychobiological explanations for these phenomena. In addition, the implications of these differences and ways to learn more about these important differences are discussed.

Gender differences in tobacco use.

Gender differences in tobacco use.

Gender differences in tobacco use in Kenya

This study has assessed gender differences in smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco for younger adults and their parents in samples from five ethnic groups in Kenya. These samples were from two groups of pastoralists (the Maasai and the Samburu), a group engaged in fishing and farming (the Luo), and two groups of relatively Westernized Kenyans primarily involved in commercial occupations (from the Kisii and the Gikuyu ethnic groups). In four of the five study groups, there was little or no difference in the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use in either the younger or older generation. Similarly, in four of the study groups there was little or no gender difference in the prevalence of smoking for the older generation. In contrast, for the younger generation in every study group except the Luo, men were much more likely than women to smoke cigarettes. The attitudes toward tobacco use reported by the younger generation showed similar patterns. In every study group except the Luo, the younger adults reported that smokeless tobacco use was socially acceptable for both men and women, but smoking was acceptable only for men. Many of the younger women reported that they did not smoke because it would not be socially acceptable. The interview data suggest that the social prohibiiton against women's smoking was one component of more general restrictions on women's behavior, and the absence of restrictions on men's smoking was related to men's greater social power. The Luo were the only study group in which respondents reported that women should have as much influence as men in decision making. Correspondingly, the Luo were the only study group in which most respondents considered it acceptable for women to smoke and women were as likely as men to smoke cigarettes.

Gender differences in tobacco use in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America

This paper reviews historical, anthropological and contemporary survey data concerning gender differences in tobacco use in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America. In many cultural groups in these regions, tobacco use has been substantially more common among men than among women. In some groups, tobacco use has been about equally common for both sexes. No evidence was found of any group in which tobacco use has been substantially more common among women. The widespread pattern of greater tobacco use by men appears to be linked to general features of sex roles. For example, men have often had greater social power than women, and this has been expressed in greater restrictions on women's behavior, including social prohibitions against women's smoking. These social prohibitions against women's smoking have strongly inhibited women's tobacco use and thus have been a major cause of gender differences in tobacco use. Gender differences in tobacco use have varied in magnitude, depending on the type of tobacco use and the particular cultural group, age group and historical period considered. Causes of the variation in gender differences in tobacco use include variation in women's status and variation in the social significance and benefits attributed to particular types of tobacco use in different cultures. Contact with Western cultures appears to have increased or decreased gender differences in smoking, depending on the specific circumstances. The patterns of gender differences in tobacco use in non-Western societies are similar in many ways to the patterns observed in Western societies, but there are several important differences. For example, current evidence indicates that in many non-Western societies women have been more likely than men to quit smoking, in contrast to most Western societies where men have been as likely or more likely than women to quit smoking.