Smoking social acceptability: effect of age, gender, family influence and residence

Objectives: To investigate the interactions of sociodemographic factors that are associated with acceptance or refusal of smoking in society. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between February 2017 and January 2018 using a proportionate cluster sample of 630 Lebanese adults. An index was constructed, the “smoking social unacceptability index” and a stratification analysis over age, gender, family influence, city of residence, smoking status was carried out. Results: The results of the linear regressions, taking the “smoking social unacceptability index” as the dependent variable, showed that having a smoker at home (Beta=-0.664) and big city residency (Beta=-0.481) were significantly associated with a lower score on the “smoking social unacceptability index”. Being a smoker (Beta=-0.696) was significantly and highly associated with a lower score. Whereas female gender (Beta=-0.522) and higher education level (Beta=-0.358) were associated with higher index score. Age and working status didn’t show a significant effect. Conclusion: gender, family influence, smoking status, big city residency and education level, would affect the attitude towards smoking bans. Public education and implementation of adequate policies are necessary.