Publication: Demographic and lifestyle factors associated with perception about risk of passive smoking in the Malaysian adolescent population
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Date
2024
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Abstract
Aims: Exposure to passive smoking among adolescents is a public health concern. This study aims to explore demographic and lifestyle factors associated with perception of passive smoking risk and the mediating effects of exposure to anti-smoking advertisements and education about the dangers of smoking on the relationship between grade levels and the perception.
Method: Data from the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Survey among Malaysian Adolesce(n=13,117) were analysed. Ordered probit models were used to assess factors associated with passive smoking risk perception (i.e. not harmful, probably not harmful, probably harmful, harmful).
Results: About one-third of adolescents did not perceive that passive smoking was harmful (30.4%). Adolescents with the perception that passive smoking was not harmful were more likely to be students at low grade levels, be males, be non-Malays and be low-pocket-money recipients and those who used e-cigarettes and who smoked. Being aware of anti-smoking advertisements (direct effect=0.174; indirect effect=0.012) and taught on the dangers of smoking (direct effect=0.179; indirect effect=0.003) partially mediated the positive relationship between grade levels and perceived risk of passive smoking.
Conclusion: Policies implemented to reduce exposure to passive smoking should highlight the important role of demographic factors, lifestyle profiles, anti-smoking advertisements and education about the dangers of smoking in improving passive smoking risk perception among adolescents.
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Keywords
Adolescents, Advertisements, Passive smoking, Perception, Risk