Knowledge and risk perceptions of Israelis towards combustible cigarettes: the need for immediate remedial action

Abstract

BackgroundDevastation from the tobacco epidemic continues, with strong government tobacco control policy absent in most countries. Knowledge of the full scope of tobacco harm in populations may form the basis for healthier behavior, de-normalization of smoking, and a consensus about necessary public policy. However, many populations may be poorly-informed about the risks, and this ignorance may undermine both effective policy-making and implementation of tobacco control policies. We present knowledge and risk perceptions about smoking tobacco smoke exposure in Israel.MethodsA nationally-representative phone survey was conducted in Israel (n = 505; response rate = 61%). We assessed knowledge about active and passive smoking using four questions, three of which addressed knowledge about harm, and one of which addressed knowledge of tobacco-related harm relative to knowledge of harm due to traffic accidents. The three questions which addressed knowledge of harm were combined into a composite score. We also asked four risk perception questions concerning tobacco smoke exposure, which were measured on a 7-point Likert scale and then combined. Multivariable logistic regression and linear models were used to identify whether smoking status or socio-demographic variables were associated with knowledge of harm, comparative knowledge of harm, and risk perceptions.ResultsJust two in five respondents, and one in five respondents who were current smokers, accurately answered three simple questions about harms of smoking. Fewer than three in ten respondents, and fewer than one in five smokers, knew that smoking causes more damage than traffic accidents. Many (30.3%) were unaware that tobacco smoke exposure causes both lung cancer and heart disease, 27.7% did not know that smoking both shortens life and injures quality of life, and 31.1% did not know that smoking-attributable health problems will afflict all or most heavy smokers. Overall, risk perceptions regarding tobacco smoke exposure were high (mean = 24.5, SD:4.5, on a scale of 7–28, with 28 the indicating highest level). Smoking status was consistently associated with lower levels of knowledge, comparative knowledge, and risk perceptions, with current smokers having the lowest levels of knowledge and the lowest risk perceptions.ConclusionsLike many others, Israelis, and particularly Israeli smokers, do not fully grasp tobacco’s true dangers. Effective communication of the full range of tobacco risks to the public, with a focus on communication with smokers, is an essential component of comprehensive tobacco control policy.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13584-018-0276-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Determinants of Adolescents' Desire to Quit Smoking in Indonesia: Data Analysis of the 2014 Global Youth Tobacco Survey

“…However, this study was not following the other study regarding the relationship between the level of knowledge of active smokers about the dangers of smoking and students' motivation to quit smoking in SMA Muhammadiyah Cipondoh. There was no significant relationship between the level of knowledge of active smokers about the dangers of smoking and students' motivation to quit smoking in SMA Muhammadiyah Cipondoh [20].…”

Trends in tobacco use among children and adolescents in Israel, 1998–2015

“…This is consistent with other research. National data from Israel indicate that the Arab population is 1.6 times more likely to smoke cigarettes than the Jewish population [11]. In an additional study by Thompson et al (2017), which studied time trends in smoking onset, authors found that between 2006 and 2013, there were declines among White participants as compared to Blacks and Hispanics; smoking onset rates increased among Hispanic and Black participants [23].…”

“…In Israel, there is a disparity in smoking rates between the ethnic minority (Arab-Israeli) to the ethnic majority (Jewish-Israeli) population [9][10][11]. According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, the rate of smoking in 2014 among Arab-Israelis is higher than that of Jewish-Israelis: 26.3% vs. 18.4% [12].…”

“…According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, the rate of smoking in 2014 among Arab-Israelis is higher than that of Jewish-Israelis: 26.3% vs. 18.4% [12]. Thus, there is a need to focus tobacco control efforts not only on the entire Israeli population, but among the ethnic minority in particular [11]. In the past decade, there has been an effort to implement such tobacco control programs in the school setting in Israel [9].…”

Persepsi Sosial Tentang Stunting Di Kabupaten Tangerang

“…Penelitian menyimpulkan adanya korelasi yang konsisten antara perilaku kesehatan dengan persepsi terhadap adanya ancaman penyakit sehingga persepsi risiko menjadi salah satu konsep kunci dalam memprediksi perilaku kesehatan keluarga (L. Rosen & Kostjukovsky, 2015) maupun masyarakat (Brewer et al, 2007). Sementara pengetahuan menjadi faktor berpengaruh dalam membentuk persepsi (Slovic, 1986), maka penggunaan saluran komunikasi yang efektif dapat menambah pengetahuan dan menjangkau kelompok target menjadi salah satu tulang punggung untuk mendidik masyarakat menghindari hal-hal yang tidak diinginkan (Boyd & Furgal, 2018;L. J. Rosen, Rier, Schwartz, Talitman, & Zwanziger, 2019).…”