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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 5/2011

01-10-2011 | Original Article

Smoking behaviour and attitudes of Hungarian Roma and non-Roma population towards tobacco control policies

Authors: Edit Paulik, László Nagymajtényi, Douglas Easterling, Todd Rogers

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 5/2011

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Abstract

Objectives

To assess the smoking status and support for tobacco control policies among the Roma minority compared with the non-Roma population in Hungary.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was delivered among Roma minority and local non-Roma population; 83 Roma and 126 non-Roma people were interviewed. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were applied to compare Roma and non-Roma populations.

Results

The prevalence of smoking was significantly higher and the support for tobacco control measures was significantly lower in the Roma population. This effect of ethnicity on attitudes toward tobacco control was explained somewhat, but not completely, by the Roma group’s higher rate of smoking and lower level of education.

Conclusions

Tobacco control policies are a proven strategy for denormalizing smoking and discouraging initiation. This strategy has important potential for Roma communities because of their high rates of tobacco use. However, this study shows that the Roma are resistant the efforts to limit smoking. Changing these attitudes will require targeted public health interventions that take into account not only the lower educational levels of the Roma, but also their cultural beliefs regarding tobacco.
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Metadata
Title
Smoking behaviour and attitudes of Hungarian Roma and non-Roma population towards tobacco control policies
Authors
Edit Paulik
László Nagymajtényi
Douglas Easterling
Todd Rogers
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-011-0252-x

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