Abstract
Purpose: This study was attempted to find out female smoking behavior and the smoking related factors. Method: Study subjects were 226 female smokers who have visited temporary clinic or smoking cessation clinic run by 10 public health centers in Incheon. The data were collected through the questionnaire specially designed for this study from April 1 to June 30, 2008. The data were analyzed by the SPSS 12.0 program. Result: 68.0% of feale smokers have smoked habitually. The average daily smoking amount of the subjects was $12.0{\pm}8.7$ ea, average rate of nicotine dependence was $4.2{\pm}2.2$ points, the mean smoking duration was $12.7{\pm}9.3$ years, and the smoking start age was $23.1{\pm}8.5$ year old. The smoking behavior by the drinking frequency showed significant difference in average daily smoking amount and rate of nicotine dependence(p<.05). Also the smoking behavior by exercise showed significant difference in current smoking frequency(p<.05). There was positive relation between female smoking behavior and monthly income, frequency of drinking, exercise, and stress respectively(p<.05, p<.01). Conclusion: Compared to a male smoker, the average daily smoking amount of a female smoker was less and the duration of smoking was longer. This study suggests that not only a social movement about a female smoking cessation is imperative but also smoking cessation programs should be combined with reduced drinking consumption, exercise and stress relief programs. Moreover, early intervention for preventing teenager smoking should be added to smoking cessation programs.
