Why do young adult smokers continue to smoke despite the health risks? A focus group study

Abstract

The focus of this article is on constructions of health and illness in relation to smoking. Specifically, we were interested in how culturally embedded health promotion messages were discussed and understood by our young smokers-and how continued smoking was rationalised in the context of a thoroughgoing anti-smoking climate. To investigate accounts of smoking maintenance, we conducted focus group discussions (N = 22 groups) with young adults from both high school and university settings. Techniques from discourse analysis were used to identify significant patterns of talk around health and smoking, and three main repertoires were elicited. First, the health risks of smoking were downplayed in several ways (e.g. by citing other risky activities). Second, the putative health benefits of smoking were emphasised (e.g. stress relief). Third, smoking was construed as a temporary, youthful phenomenon, which would cease upon entering responsible adulthood. The implications of these three interlocking repertoires are discussed in relation to smoking maintenance, and suggestions for targeted health promotion are made.

Male smokers’ experiences of an appearance-focused facial-ageing intervention

“…There was some ambivalence in accounts with 14 individuals reporting positive intentions to change behaviour as well as justifications to continue smoking. Justifications for continuing to smoke included participants perceiving themselves as generally healthy otherwise and not smoking much, supporting Gough et al, (2009).…”

“…A number of participants were concerned about what significant others might think if they saw their aged images. Social relationships have been shown to influence an individual's likelihood of engaging in a health risk or promoting behaviour Gough et al, 2009); therefore perceived negative social reactions may act as a significant disincentive for smoking.…”

“…Limitations of the studies in the systematic review include lack of information on how TPB outcomes were measured indicating possible reliability and validity issues. The systematic review highlights there is currently a lack of qualitative work to understand the underlying reasons why smokers may find appearance-focused interventions effective (Flett et al, 2013;Gough et al, 2009). To date, only one qualitative study has been identified which involved investigating the experiences of smokers .…”

Perceptions towards electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation among Stop Smoking Service users

“…Social relationships have been shown to influence an individual's likelihood of engaging in a health risk or promoting behaviour such as smoking cessation (Gough, Fry, Grogan, & Conner, 2009); therefore, social reactions pertaining to e-cigarette acceptability may promote or discourage use.…”

Differential access to health care and support? A qualitative analysis of how Australian smokers conceptualise and respond to stigma

“…Indeed, the use of a riskbased argument in the context of smoking is not new. Several analyses have illustrated the ways in which smokers mobilise risk language to downplay the health risks of smoking (Gough, Fry, Grogan, & Conner, 2009;Heikkinen, Patja, & Jallinoja, 2010;Wigginton & Lafrance, 2014). For instance, Gough et al (2009) showed how participants positioned smoking on a continuum of risk in which other behaviours (alcohol, diet, obesity) were claimed to be more risky, allowing participants to speak to the unfair and over-targeted treatment of smoking and smokers.…”