Alternations in Smoking Habits of Active Smoker Health Care Professionals after the ‘Law on Prevention of Harmful Effects of Tobacco and Tobacco Products’

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the approaches of active-smoker health care workers to the law on "Prevention and Control of Hazards of Tobacco Products", to determine behavioral changes in smoking and the factors associated with these changes after the law was enacted. Methods:The population of the study consisted of 1096 health care workers who were active smokers and worked at state hospitals and the 112 emergency service in Çorum. Questionnaire forms were delivered by hand to the participants. The survey was designed with 32 closed-ended questions associated with demographic findings, smoking habits, and the smoking ban. Data were obtained through questionnaires filled out by participants. Statistical Package SPSS 16.0 was used for the analysis. Results:The response rate was 47.7%. Eighty-five percent of the participants had a positive opinion on the law. In the sociodemographic data, only a higher number of working years in health care was found to be associated with the negative opinion on the ban. As the number of years smoked, pack-years, and addiction level increased, the rate of a positive approach toward the law decreased. Participants who were ashamed of smoking outdoors, who had tried to quit, and who did not smoke in the same environment with children expressed more positive opinions. Conclusion:Approaches of active smoker health care workers to the smoking ban is similar to society. Health professionals whose role in the fight against tobacco is started by "the responsibility of being a role model" should be taken to smoking control programs as a priority and with a holistic approach.

The Effects of Smoking Ban in Closed Public Spaces on the Status of Smoking

“…The results of the same study showed that those who had tried to quit smoking previously had a statistically significant positive response to the ban [17].…”

Effect of Fasting on Smoking Addiction

“…Although smoking is a fairly regular activity and a top-up of nicotine dosage is sought throughout the day, smoking behavior changes dramatically in some specific situations mentioned earlier. These changes in smoking patterns include the ability to postpone or modify smoking behavior without experiencing severe symptoms of abstinence and cravings (Türkkani et al, 2014).…”