Adolescent Support for Tobacco Control Policies and Associations with Tobacco Denormalization Beliefs and Harm Perceptions

Jianjiu Chen, Sai Yin Ho, Lok Tung Leung, Man Ping Wang and Tai Hing Lam
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Jianjiu Chen: School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Sai Yin Ho: School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Lok Tung Leung: School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Man Ping Wang: School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Tai Hing Lam: School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Public support is crucial for advancing tobacco control policies. We investigated adolescent support for such policies, and its association with potential factors of social denormalization (SD) beliefs of smoking, tobacco industry denormalization (TID) beliefs (negative perceptions of the industry), and harm perceptions of smoking. In a cross-sectional survey in Hong Kong, 13,964 secondary school students (mean age 15.0 years, 51.3% boys) reported their support (yes/no) for each of 14 tobacco control policies (e.g., further increase tobacco tax). Tobacco-related beliefs and perceptions, and smoking status were also measured. Support for the 14 tobacco control policies ranged from 17.6% to 54.1%. In current non-smokers, SD beliefs, TID beliefs, and harm perceptions were all associated with support for all tobacco control policies. In current smokers, the study factors were each associated with support for two to three policies. To conclude, support for tobacco control policies was weak to moderate in Hong Kong adolescents. SD beliefs, TID beliefs, and harm perceptions of smoking were associated with policy support in current non-smokers. In current smokers, the corresponding associations were less consistent or weaker.

Keywords: tobacco control; policy; public opinion; tobacco denormalization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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