Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study

© 2018 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Introduction and Aims: Despite substantial reductions in smoking prevalence in many countries, rates remain high among people who are experiencing disadvantage. This study aimed to explore attitudinal and behavioural responses to po...

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Main Authors: Parnell, A., Box, E., Biagioni, Nicole, Bonevski, B., Coffin, J., Slevin, Terry, Anwar-McHenry, J., Pettigrew, Simone
Format: Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2018
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71719
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author Parnell, A.
Box, E.
Biagioni, Nicole
Bonevski, B.
Coffin, J.
Slevin, Terry
Anwar-McHenry, J.
Pettigrew, Simone
author_facet Parnell, A.
Box, E.
Biagioni, Nicole
Bonevski, B.
Coffin, J.
Slevin, Terry
Anwar-McHenry, J.
Pettigrew, Simone
author_sort Parnell, A.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2018 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Introduction and Aims: Despite substantial reductions in smoking prevalence in many countries, rates remain high among people who are experiencing disadvantage. This study aimed to explore attitudinal and behavioural responses to population-wide tobacco control policies among Australian smokers experiencing disadvantage. Design and Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 84 smokers attending community service organisations in the mental health, homelessness, and alcohol and other drug sectors. Interviewees discussed various tobacco control policies (tobacco taxes, smoke-free areas, plain packaging and graphic health warnings). The interview transcriptions were coded and thematically analysed. Results: Responses to tobacco taxes were mixed. Some interviewees reported smoking less as a result of price increases, while others reallocated funds from other budget areas. Many perceived smoke-free area policies as effective, although some described strategies they use to circumvent this policy, thereby diminishing its effectiveness. Plain packaging and graphic warnings were perceived as being least effective. Discussion and Conclusions: While tobacco control policies can elicit intended attitudinal and behavioural responses, additional efforts are needed to enhance their effectiveness among smokers experiencing disadvantage. Future efforts to reduce smoking rates should address responses that diminish policy effectiveness among groups exhibiting high smoking prevalence. This could be achieved through strategies that address the specific needs of these groups, such as providing additional cessation support, enforcing existing smoke-free policies in ways that minimise inequitable effects, and addressing self-exempting beliefs.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-717192018-12-13T09:33:19Z Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study Parnell, A. Box, E. Biagioni, Nicole Bonevski, B. Coffin, J. Slevin, Terry Anwar-McHenry, J. Pettigrew, Simone © 2018 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Introduction and Aims: Despite substantial reductions in smoking prevalence in many countries, rates remain high among people who are experiencing disadvantage. This study aimed to explore attitudinal and behavioural responses to population-wide tobacco control policies among Australian smokers experiencing disadvantage. Design and Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 84 smokers attending community service organisations in the mental health, homelessness, and alcohol and other drug sectors. Interviewees discussed various tobacco control policies (tobacco taxes, smoke-free areas, plain packaging and graphic health warnings). The interview transcriptions were coded and thematically analysed. Results: Responses to tobacco taxes were mixed. Some interviewees reported smoking less as a result of price increases, while others reallocated funds from other budget areas. Many perceived smoke-free area policies as effective, although some described strategies they use to circumvent this policy, thereby diminishing its effectiveness. Plain packaging and graphic warnings were perceived as being least effective. Discussion and Conclusions: While tobacco control policies can elicit intended attitudinal and behavioural responses, additional efforts are needed to enhance their effectiveness among smokers experiencing disadvantage. Future efforts to reduce smoking rates should address responses that diminish policy effectiveness among groups exhibiting high smoking prevalence. This could be achieved through strategies that address the specific needs of these groups, such as providing additional cessation support, enforcing existing smoke-free policies in ways that minimise inequitable effects, and addressing self-exempting beliefs. 2018 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71719 10.1111/dar.12869 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. restricted
spellingShingle Parnell, A.
Box, E.
Biagioni, Nicole
Bonevski, B.
Coffin, J.
Slevin, Terry
Anwar-McHenry, J.
Pettigrew, Simone
Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study
title Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study
title_full Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study
title_fullStr Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study
title_short Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study
title_sort attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: a qualitative study
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71719