Behavioral aspects of cigarette smoking among industrial college men of Shanghai, China.

Abstract

A questionnaire survey was conducted among 7,665 students and staff in the factory-operated industrial colleges in Shanghai, China. Response rate was 95.7 per cent. The proportion of smokers among the men was 50.5 per cent; only 0.33 per cent of the women reported they were smokers. Male smokers began smoking upon entering the work force, where social interaction encourages cigarette smoking. Seventy per cent of the male smokers smoked fewer than 10 cigarettes per day. Only 4.3 per cent perceived themselves as very

Perceptions of Asian American Men About Tobacco Cigarette Consumption: A Social Learning Theory Framework

“…Brugge et al observed in their study that 60 to 80% of Chinese smokers had no plans to quit smoking (36). Li et al reported earlier that smokers in China believed they had little control over quitting smoking (28). In our study, participants were consistent in expressing a reluctance to endure symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.…”

“…Work-place smoking emerged as both a predisposition and an enabling determinant. Similarly, Li et al found Chinese students and staff in Shanghai, China, reporting that they started smoking when they started working (28). Averbach et al studied 54 Chinese restaurant workers in Boston's Chinatown and found 83.3% were regular smokers, with 75.9% reporting that they smoked to relax (29).…”

Tobacco Use in China

“…In 1996, Li and colleagues reported that the rate of smoking among youth was associated with poor academic performance, lack of participation in unstructured activities, and other problem behaviors as, for example, truancy, running away from home, and intentional damage of school property (Li et al, 1996;Li et al, 1999). Earlier, Li and other colleagues noted that the rationale for smoking also differs (Li et al, 1988). In their survey, respondents identified social needs, problems with work/study, problems at home and relaxation and stress reduction.…”

“…Although more than one third of smokers (37%) acknowledge that smoking is an undesirable behavior, only 50% of smokers and non-smokers feel that smoking is an addictive behavior. Even among non-smokers, nearly a quarter (25%) feel that smoking is not addictive (Li et al, 1988).…”

“…In 1986, a survey of tobacco use in Beijing by Chen and associates showed a prevalence of 56.6% among males and 14.4% among females (Chen et al, 1997). A parallel study in Shanghai during the same year by Li and associates revealed a 50.5% smoking prevalence among males and 0.3% among females (Li et al, 1988). A 1993 survey of Shanghai by Gong and colleagues found a prevalence of 67% among males and 2.0% among females (Gong et al, 1995).…”