Attitudes towards smoking restrictions and tobacco advertisement bans in Georgia

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aims to provide data on a public level of support for restricting smoking in public places and banning tobacco advertisements.DesignA nationally representative multistage sampling design, with sampling strata defined by region (sampling quotas proportional to size) and substrata defined by urban/rural and mountainous/lowland settlement, within which census enumeration districts were randomly sampled, within which households were randomly sampled, within which a randomly selected respondent was interviewed.SettingThe country of Georgia, population 4.7 million, located in the Caucasus region of Eurasia.ParticipantsOne household member aged between 13 and 70 was selected as interviewee. In households with more than one age-eligible person, selection was carried out at random. Of 1588 persons selected, 14 refused to participate and interviews were conducted with 915 women and 659 men.Outcome measuresRespondents were interviewed about their level of agreement with eight possible smoking restrictions/bans, used to calculate a single dichotomous (agree/do not agree) opinion indicator. The level of agreement with restrictions was analysed in bivariate and multivariate analyses by age, gender, education, income and tobacco use status.ResultsOverall, 84.9% of respondents indicated support for smoking restrictions and tobacco advertisement bans. In all demographic segments, including tobacco users, the majority of respondents indicated agreement with restrictions, ranging from a low of 51% in the 13–25 age group to a high of 98% in the 56–70 age group. Logistic regression with all demographic variables entered showed that agreement with restrictions was higher with age, and was significantly higher among never smokers as compared to daily smokers.ConclusionsGeorgian public opinion is normatively supportive of more stringent tobacco-control measures in the form of smoking restrictions and tobacco advertisement bans.

The influence of public opinion on tobacco control policy-making in Georgia: Perspectives of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders

“…Two recently published studies from Georgia revealed strong majority support for tobacco control (more than 80%), including support from tobacco users 6,7 . The academic literature suggests that public opinion may play an important role in public policy making, in communities where public opinion carries weight in political processes.…”

“…This is a sobering finding. Yet it seems likely that Georgian policymakers are not aware of the overwhelming support of the public for strong tobacco control, nor that most smokers also favor tobacco control 6,7 . The recent and compelling evidence on this may heighten policy-makers awareness of the actual state of public opinion, and that might increase motivation to adjust tobacco policy in directions favored by the majority of the public.…”

“…On a positive note, there is some evidence that policy-makers are now more aware of public support for tobacco control. The new Georgian State Strategy was set in Resolution N196 42 , 30.07.13, and the Resolution highlights recent evidence on the public's support for tobacco control 6,7 . The Resolution acknowledges that "public support is important to provide tobacco control measures effectively".…”

“…Indeed, research worldwide reveals that the public everywhere, including tobacco users, seem to be aware of the dangers of tobacco and support tobacco control. In Australian research, 89% of never-smokers reported supporting a workplace-smoking ban, compared with 67% smokers 25 , and only a minority of Australian tobacco users reported support for smoking in public bars 26 . In South Africa, 83% of non-smokers and 70% of smokers supported bans on smoking in public places 27 .…”

“…To support the public health effort to control tobacco use, research was conducted to study public opinion regarding tobacco control 6,7 . This revealed majority support for tobacco control (85% approval), even among tobacco users (71% of female and 87% of male smokers approving strict tobacco control).…”