• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.17
• /
• pp.7287-7290
• /
• 2014

Background: Brief physician counselling has been shown to be effective in improving smokers' behaviour. If the counselling sessions can be given at the workplace, this would benefit a larger number of smokers. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a ten-minute physician counseling session at the workplace in improving smoking behaviour. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomised control trial was conducted on smokers in a factory. A total of 163 participants were recruited and randomised into control and intervention groups using a table of random numbers. The intervention group received a ten-minute brief physician counselling session to quit smoking. Stages of smoking behaviour were measured in both groups using a translated and validated questionnaire at baseline, one month and three months post intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in smoking behaviour at one-month post intervention (p=0.024, intention to treat analysis; OR=2.525; CI=1.109-5.747). This was not significant at three-month post intervention (p=0.946, intention to treat analysis; OR=1.026; 95% CI=0.486-2.168). Conclusions: A session of brief physician counselling was effective in improving smokers' behaviour at workplace, but the effect was not sustained.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2004

The current study uses longitudinal data, which show secondary school students' responses in a biennial data of surveys from England (n=4,326/boys=2,313;girls=2,413) and Scotland (n=3,528/boys=1,744;girls=1,784), to describe the association between availability of cigarette sales to minor, prosmoking attitudes of family members and drinking/drug use and smoking behaviours amongst adolescents. The findings provided strong evidence suggesting that availability of cigarette sales to minor, lack of familial interest on the child's smoking and other substance use were positively associated with the increased level of smoking behaviour in youth. Girls and boys also differed the likelihood of smoking and being a regular smoker. Boys were found to be more likely than girls to be smoking and to be a regular smoker. The implications of promising prevention programmes for preadolescents and areas for future research are presented

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.1125-1130
• /
• 2012

Objective: The objective of present study is to investigate the determinants of smoking behaviour among adults in Malaysia. Method: Findings of the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-3) by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, were used. The sample consisted of 34,539 observations. A logistic regression model was thus applied to estimate the probability to participate in smoking. Results: Age, income, gender, marital status, ethnicity, employment status, residential area, education, lifestyle and health status were statistically significant in affecting the likelihood of smoking. Specifically, youngsters, low income earners, males, unmarried individuals, Malays, employed individuals, rural residents and primary educated individuals were more likely to smoke. Conclusion: In conclusion, socio-demographic, lifestyle and health factors have significant impacts on smoking participation in Malaysia. Based on these empirical findings, several policy implications are suggested.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.7
• /
• pp.4319-4323
• /
• 2013

Background: Hookah smoking has been referred to as a global tobacco epidemic by public health officials. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics, behaviour and perceptions related to hookah smoking among the youth smokers in Pune. Methods: Two hundred and eighty established hookah smokers participated in this study. Data was collected using a 29-item questionnaire, constructed using three main domains: Characteristics (socio-demographic and personal), behaviour and perceptions (about harmful effects in comparison to cigarette smoking). Results: The results indicated that the mean age of starting hookah smoking was 17.3 years; 75% of participants did not have parental acceptance; light-headedness, dizziness and headache were most common reported nicotine effects, post hookah smoking. Hookah smoking on a daily basis was reported by 24.6% participants. The mean time of hookah session was 1 hour and 19 minutes. 68.2% participants were reported to smoke hookah in hookah-cafes and 35.7% participants were found to share the hookah. Some 66.7% participants had no intention to quit. Most of them (71-80%) had misperception about the safety of hookah smoking over cigarette smoking and 54-82% participants were unaware of health effects. Conclusions: Educational intervention is urgently needed to create awareness among the youth about the harmful effects of hookah smoking.

• Journal of applied mathematics & informatics
• /
• v.29 no.3_4
• /
• pp.721-741
• /
• 2011

In this paper we have considered a dynamical mathematical model of the sub-populations of potential smokers (non-smokers), smokers, smokers who temporarily quit smoking, smokers who permanently quit smoking and a class of smoking associated illness by introducing time dependent parameters and distributed time delay to acquire smoking habit. Here, we have established some sufficient conditions on the permanence and extinction of the smoking class in the community by using inequality analytical technique. We have introduced some new threshold values $R_0$ and $R^*$ and further obtained that the smoking class in the community will be permanent when $R_0$ > 1 and the smoking class in the community will be going to extinct when $R^*$ < 1. By Lyapunov functional method, we have also obtained some sufficient conditions for global asymptotic stability of this model. Computer simulations are carried out to explain the analytical findings. The aim of the analysis of this model is to identify the parameters of interest for further study, with a view to informing and assisting policy-maker in targeting prevention and treatment resources for maximum effectiveness.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.207-214
• /
• 2016

In Malaysia, data on components suitability the established smoking cessation module is limited. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the suitability of the components developed in the module for group behavioural therapy in workplace smoking cessation programs. Twenty staff were identified but only eight individuals were selected according to the study criteria during the recruitment period in May 2014. Focus group discussion was conducted to identify themes relevant to the behavioural issues among smokers. Thematic analysis yielded seven major themes which were reasons for regular smoking, reasons for quitting, comprehending smoking characteristics, quit attempt experiences, support and encouragement, learning new skills and behaviour, and preparing for lapse/relapse or difficult situations. As a result, the developed module was found to be relevant and suitable for use based on these themes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.sup1
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2016

Smoking and harmful drinking dramatically increase health risks but little is known about their cooccurrence and factors that influence this co-habit, limiting development and implementation of appropriately targeted prevention interventions. This study was conducted among youth aged 10-24 years old in the Chi Linh Demographic - Epidemiological Surveillance System (CHILILAB DESS). The total numbers in the first, second and third rounds in 2006, 2009 and 2013 were 12,406, 10,211, and 7,654, respectively. A random-effects logit model controlling for both time-variant and time-invariant variables was applied to explore factors associated with current smoking, harmful drinking, and occurrence of smoking and harmful drinking together. We found dramatically increasing trends in current smoking, harmful drinking and co-occurrence among youth. Our results indicate similar health problems among youth in peri-urban areas in Vietnam. Demographic characteristics (older age, being male, being unmarried, and having informal work) appeared to be predictors for smoking and drinking behaviour. Besides, peer and family members had significant influence on smoking, whereas having a close-friend who was smoking was the most important variable. The results suggested that smoking and harmful drinking should not be solved with separate, stand-alone interventions but rather with integrated efforts.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.36.1-36.4
• /
• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the neurobehavioural effects of the smoking of Carica papaya leaves based on ethnopharmacological information. Twenty -four rats used for the study were grouped into four groups namely; Groups 1 (Control, unexposed to any smoke) and Groups 2 - 4 (exposed to smoke from varying amount of pawpaw leaf powder). Groups 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to smoke from 6.25 g (low dose), 12.50 g (medium dose), and 18.75 g (high dose) of dry pawpaw leaves respectively in a smoking chamber twice daily for 21 one days with each exposure lasting 3 min. The spontaneous motor activities and locomotory behaviour of the animals were assessed using an open field maze and hole board maze test. The results showed that the smoking of Carica papaya leaves led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in locomotory activities from $33.36{\pm}3.36$ (control) to $66.50{\pm}6.16$ (high dose), number of head dips (from $8.50{\pm}0.36$, to $12.83{\pm}0.87$) and rearing behaviour (from $14.83{\pm}0.74$, to $27.0{\pm}1.46$). However, the freezing durations as animals were introduced into the maze and grooming behaviour were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the treated groups. In conclusion, the increased ambulations and exploratory behaviours imply that the anxiety level is low in the treated groups compared to the control group which thus confirms that dry Carica papaya leaf may possibly contain psychoactive substance(s) that become active when smoked.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.25-38
• /
• 2008

Objectives: This study identified the factors associated with successful smoking cessation for 6 months at a smoking-cessation clinic of a public health center in an urban area. Methods: The subjects of this study were 670 visitors to the smoking cessation clinic of Dongjak-Gu public health center in Seoul, from September 6, 2005 to March 24, 2006. The 274 visitors of them responded to the questionnaire with registration, which contained the information related to the study except that of registered card for the clinic. A dependent variable was success or failure in smoking cessation during the 6 month-smoking cessation program, measured the status of smoking cessation in each week by self-report. Independent variable included demographic information, the characteristics in using the clinic, health status and smoking related behaviour, exposure to other smokers in daily life and motivation. Multiple logistic regression model was used to find the factors associated with success of smoking cessation. Results: The success rate in smoking cessation for 6 months was 33.6%. Five pretreatment characteristics were identified as univariate predictors of continuous abstinence. Finally, age, job, and practice oriented motivation were associated significantly with the success of smoking cessation for 6 months from a multiple logistic regression analysis. The lower socio-economic smokers such as people having lower literacy level, lower income people, unskilled workers, and recipients by Medical Assistant Program were more likely to fail in continuous abstinence for 6 months. Conclusions: In order to increase the success rate in smoking cessation clinics of public centers, counselors should activate self confidence and practice oriented motivation of participants for smoking cessation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.20
• /
• pp.8809-8814
• /
• 2014

The objective of this paper is to present the implementation and process evaluation of the first computer tailored program for smoking cessation among Romanian smokers. The program targeted adult smokers who declared the intention to quit smoking in the next six months. The intervention consisted of a letter tailored to several respondent characteristics: gender, cognitive variables (attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy), intention to quit smoking, goal and relapse prevention strategies (action and coping plans), and smoking behaviour. The first 80 participants entered into the program filled in a process evaluation questionnaire one month after the intervention. The results of our study confirmed that the participants had read and remembered the letter. Moreover, new for Romania, this approach was positively appreciated by the participant and the score received for the tailored letter was high. The opinions of the participants confirmed that the tailored letter provided information that was useful, trustworthy and relevant for the individual. At the same time, the participants appreciated the polite, easy to understand content of the letter. These data underlined the premises for continuing the program and for using the information and communication technologies for healthy lifestyle promotion among Romanian population.