NEW YORK -- Smokers see their nicotine habit as being deeply integrated with their basic pleasures of life, such as eating, drinking and socializing, according to a new global study that included hundreds of U.S. participants.
The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, New York, released findings on March 19 from the global survey to better understand smokers, their experiences and the challenges they face when trying to quit smoking. The survey also highlights their awareness regarding the harm caused by smoking and how their perceptions of cigarettes, alternative products and nicotine influence their motivation to move away from smoking.
The primary findings include:
- Smoking isn’t an isolated habit. Smokers consider it among their basic pleasures of life.
- Smokers know that smoking is harmful to their health, and many consider themselves in poorer health than nonsmokers, yet they do not actively engage with their healthcare providers or discuss effective cessation or reduced-harm solutions with them.
- There is confusion among smokers about the relative harms of smoking and less harmful alternatives. While people “smoke for the nicotine, but die from the tar,” there is still considerable misperception about the risks of nicotine. This affects their motivation to quit or try reduced-risk alternative products.
“I hope this survey will jolt many of the world’s 1 billion smokers into action to stop smoking, spark a meaningful discussion on the deeply complex reasons so many people continue to smoke, and make clear the urgent need to develop more effective communications and interventions to help smokers quit or substantially reduce their risks,” said Dr. Derek Yach, president of the foundation. “By better understanding key drivers behind why people start smoking, barriers to quitting and motivations to stop, we can help reduce the negative health consequences for many who are trapped in the cycle of addiction to combustible, tobacco products.”
The 2018 State of Smoking Survey included 17,421 current smokers, ex-smokers and nonsmokers from 13 countries. In parallel, a series of qualitative focus groups were carried out in seven countries, including the United States, to give additional context to the quantitative results. The survey was conducted by London-based Kantar Public, an integrated consulting and research agency.
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