Exploring the Meaning of Cigarette Smoking in a Sample of Resettled Bosnian Refugees

Abstract

The current study explored the meaning of cigarette smoking for resettled Bosnian refugees (N = 15) in the Midwest and Northeastern part of the country. The interviews were audiotaped, translated into English, and transcribed. Open coding was used to produce meaningful themes. The major themes across all three phases included the importance of smoking as part of socializing and the characterization of smoking as a habit. The participants' pattern of smoking changed across phases. Of those participants who reported quitting smoking, the majority indicated that they relapsed in social situations. Implications for further assessment and for the development of culturally tailored interventions are discussed.

Perceptions of Personal Risk About Smoking and Health Among Bosnian Refugees Living in The United States

“…The lack of interest in cessation may stem from the underestimate of personal health risk, in addition to the Bosnian culture itself, where smoking is often considered ''normal'' behavior, going hand-in-hand with social exchange and coffee drinking [38,39]. Similar to our results, one study of smoking among refugees found that smokers generally knew that smoking could be linked to serious health problems but only 50% were interested in smoking cessation at the time of the study.…”

A systematic review on tobacco use among civilian populations affected by armed conflict

“…These studies were conducted with Somali and Bosnian refugees in the USA,30 36 38 41 42 Bosnian and other refugees in Canada,46 63 refugees in Lebanon,50 youths in Iraq,60 and people from postwar Croatia 64…”

“…With regard to knowledge on health hazards related to tobacco use, most participants were aware that smoking is harmful for health and some were also aware of the specific risks associated with cardiovascular diseases 30 36 64. However, adolescent smokers, compared with non-smokers, had significantly less (p=0.01) awareness of the harm of smoking even lower numbers of cigarettes (1–5 cigarettes per day) 36.…”

“…Five studies examined the effects of conflict by comparing tobacco use between preconflict and conflict-affected periods 27 30 32 44 62. An increase in tobacco consumption (cigarette per day) was observed by all five studies, but only statistically significantly in two of these studies 27 32.…”

The impact of the Ontario secondary school literacy test on L2 students

“…For instance,Cajdric-Vrhovac and Weaver (2009) used open coding to look for themes in the data they obtained from 15 respondents who were asked several questions pertaining to smoking habits in Bosnian culture (2009:1, 4-5). The researchers presented some of the themes that emerged from their discussions, noting the proportion of respondents who reported having similar experiences or beliefs (Cajdric-Vrhovac and Weaver 2009:5-10).…”