Smoking too few cigarettes to be at risk? Smokers’ perceptions of risk and risk denial, a French survey

Abstract

Background: Past studies on smokers' risk perception have produced mixed results. We endorsed a new approach to assess smokers' perceptions of risk by asking them to estimate threshold values for the cancer risk associated with daily consumption of tobacco and number of smoking years. We expected that many smokers would endorse a ''risk denial'' attitude, with threshold estimates higher than their own smoking consumption and duration. Methodology: A French national telephone survey (n = 3820; 979 current smokers) included several questions about smoking behaviours and related beliefs. Results: Among current smokers, 44% considered that smoking can cause cancer only for a daily consumption higher than their own consumption, and an additional 20% considered that the cancer risk becomes high only for a smoking duration higher than their own. Most smokers also agreed with other ''risk denial'' statements (''smoking is not more dangerous than air pollution,'' ''some people smoke their whole life but never get sick''). Those who considered they smoked too few cigarettes to be at risk were less likely to report personal fear of smoking related cancer. Conclusion: Risk denial is quite widespread among smokers and does not simply reflect a lack of information about health risks related to tobacco. Fully informing smokers about their risks may necessitate changing the way they process information to produce beliefs and limiting their capacity to generate self exempting beliefs.

Smoking Cessation Interventions Offered to French Adult Light Smokers: A Heterogeneous Population with Specific Needs

“…A French cross-sectional survey reports that smokers with low cigarette consumption tend to endorse selfexempting beliefs that they smoke too few cigarettes to endanger their health [10] . Additionally, a study among light smokers enrolled in a randomized cessation trial has revealed that they smoke mainly for negative affect reduction and stimulation [11] .…”

Avaliação do conhecimento sobre tabagismo em pacientes internados

“…However, there are still myths regarding the individual risk for the development of cancer. (15) A study carried out in France showed that 44% of the smokers believed that smoking might lead to cancer only if tobacco consumption were higher than their own and that 20% of the smokers believed that their cancer risk would be increased only if the number of pack-years were greater than their own. (15) Another factor that is associated with smoking cessation attempts in patients with smoking-related diseases is the motivation that appears when certain diseases are diagnosed.…”

“…(15) A study carried out in France showed that 44% of the smokers believed that smoking might lead to cancer only if tobacco consumption were higher than their own and that 20% of the smokers believed that their cancer risk would be increased only if the number of pack-years were greater than their own. (15) Another factor that is associated with smoking cessation attempts in patients with smoking-related diseases is the motivation that appears when certain diseases are diagnosed. (17,18) Patients who are informed about their lung age and about the influence of smoking on the evolution of airway obstruction show a higher smoking cessation rate.…”

“…(6,(8)(9)(10)15) Data in the literature suggest that the knowledge regarding the relationship between smoking and smoking-related diseases is restricted to certain pathologies, such as lung cancer and coronary disease. (6,10,15) This might be related to the significant number of studies on the prevention of cancer and heart diseases, which has led, in recent by a number of factors (such as memory or even denial). The evaluation of the point of view of health care professionals would provide additional information and allow the delineation of appropriate intervention strategies to approach the problem.…”

Représentations et attitudes du public vis-à-vis du cancer

“…Certaines croyances propices au déni du risque tabagique s'avèrent largement répandues [14], même parmi les nonfumeurs. Les deux tiers des Français pensent ainsi que respirer l'air des villes est aussi mauvais pour la santé que de fumer des cigarettes, que l'on peut fumer toute sa vie sans jamais être malade, ou qu'un fumeur peut éviter les effets nocifs du tabac s'il s'arrête à temps.…”