Gender and Socioeconomic Disparities in Reasons for Not Smoking Cigarettes Among Danish Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To examine gender and socioeconomic differences in adolescents’ reasons for not smoking cigarettes using self-reported data from Danish 14-year-olds (N = 1,559) collected in 2018. χ2-tests were used to assess whether the proportion of students who rated 12 statements as important reasons for not smoking cigarettes differed according to gender and family occupational social class (OSC).Results: More girls than boys stated that thinking the taste of cigarettes is disgusting, not being allowed to smoke by parents, knowing smoking is dangerous, not being allowed to smoke before the age of 18, not wanting to be addicted to smoking, and that smoking makes you smell bad were important reasons for choosing not to smoke cigarettes. More boys than girls reported exercising a lot and having a partner that does not smoke as important reasons for not smoking cigarettes. More students with a high OSC compared with a low OSC stated exercising a lot and that smoking makes you smell bad were important reasons. In conclusion, reasons for not smoking cigarettes differed substantially across gender and less according to socioeconomic position.

The Long‐Term Effectiveness of a Multisetting Lifestyle Intervention on Tobacco‐Related Habits in Adolescent Boys and Girls: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

“…Despite the stigmatization of female smoking in the Middle East, girls associate this behavior with masculinity; they see smoking as an act of rebellion against gender discrimination in the family and society 35 . Gender also affects the adoption of preventive smoking initiatives 36 . Accordingly, no supporting evidence has been reported for the effectiveness of gender‐nonspecific antismoking programs on girls 37 .…”

Who are the young users of tobacco products? Prevalence and characteristics of Danish adolescents who have either smoked cigarettes, used alternative tobacco products, or used both

“…Hence, research indicates that girls are more positive about several components of smoking prevention interventions ( Lund et al, 2020 ). Further, more girls than boys reported that health dangers, the risk of getting addicted, not being allowed to smoke by parents, and the fact that smoking is illegal until the age of 18 were important reasons not to smoke cigarettes ( Kjeld et al, 2021 ). Thus, there seem to be gender differences in both the perception of and engagement in risk behaviours.…”