In response to global trends toward liberalizing trade of tobacco products, the expansion of the market to include previously untapped young people and women in China is highly probable. Research on factors that contribute to tobacco use among women and children will be important to the development of effective prevention programs.
In 1998-99, the Chinese Academy of Medicine, in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Institute for Global Tobacco Control, implemented two surveys of smoking and smoking-related knowledge and attitudes in China. The first survey was conducted among 20,000 adults and the other among 20,000 middle school children. We will present survey data for both women and children on smoking prevalence; knowledge about the health risks of smoking; exposure to passive smoking; motivating factors for experimentation, initiation of regular smoking and quit attempts; use of western brands of cigarettes; and attitudes toward tobacco control programs. These and other data were used by the Chinese Ministry of Health to develop tobacco control policy recommendations at China’s national tobacco control conference, held in Beijing in May 2000. These policy recommendations will also be reviewed in light of China’s current political and economic situation.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Smoking, Women
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.