The public's attitudes towards tobacco sales prohibitions: Evidence from a nationally representative survey in the former Soviet state of Georgia

BACKGROUND: In the Caucasus region country of Georgia, no data on public opinion regarding tobacco sales restrictions have been available until now. The aim of the study is to provide data from a nationally representative sample including non-smokers, ex-smokers and current smokers, on their level of support for restricting tobacco sales. METHODS: 1,588 people aged 13-70 were interviewed at home about their level of agreement with eight possible tobacco sales restrictions, which were combined to create a dichotomous scale indicating low agreement (agree with none to three of eight restrictions) or high agreement (agree with four or more of eight restrictions). Levels of agreement were analyzed by demographic segments defined by age, gender, education and income and by tobacco use status. RESULTS: Across all eight forms of tobacco sales restrictions, the average support for tobacco sales restrictions was 85.2% which is a high level of support. Among smokers, 71% of women and 87% of men indicated a high level of agreement for restricted tobacco sales; among occasional smokers 54% and 55% respectively. Above 95% of female and male ex-smokers and never smokers expressed high level of agreement with sales restrictions. After adjustment for other predictors, agreement was significantly associated with age (more agreement with higher age) and smoking status (more agreement among never-smokers, less in current smokers), while there were no significant differences in agreement by gender, education, and income. DISCUSSION: It is of high importance for Georgia to fully implement the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including strong sales restrictions, and there is good evidence of public support for doing so. CONCLUSION: The present findings indicate to Georgian public health authorities that the support for tightened tobacco sales restrictions is high.publishedVersio

The influence of public opinion on tobacco control policy-making in Georgia: Perspectives of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders

Introduction: Georgia has one of the highest smoking rates (36%) in Europe. This may be due partly to the fact that the present Georgian tobacco control regulations are weakly enforced. It is unclear if the authorities are aware that they would have majority public support for tighter enforcement of tobacco control regulations. The study aimed to fill a knowledge gap by addressing these research questions: (1) To what degree are policy makers aware of the Georgian public’s opinions about tobacco control and enforcement? (2) To what degree do policy makers take Georgian public opinion into account in their decision-making, including tobacco control and enforcement? Methods: This study used a collective case study methodology. The data were obtained through 12 semi-structured interviews during the period from April to May 2013, with three respondents each from the Ministry of Health, the Parliament of Georgia, Opinion Research Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations. Thematic Network Analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Results: Policy-makers are aware that public opinion favors tobacco control and enforcement. However, Georgian politicians don’t take public opinion into account during policy-making. Tobacco industry influence is very strong in the Georgian policy-making arena. Some policy-makers are themselves lobbyists for the tobacco industry, and ignore public opinion. Public health planning and strategy development occur without public involvement. Conclusions: Georgia faces a challenge in increasing the influence of public opinion in health policy making generally, and in tobacco control in particular

The public’s attitudes towards tobacco sales prohibitions: Evidence from a nationally representative survey in the former Soviet state of Georgia

BACKGROUND: In the Caucasus region country of Georgia, no data on public opinion regarding tobacco sales restrictions have been available until now. The aim of the study is to provide data from a nationally representative sample including non-smokers, ex-smokers and current smokers, on their level of support for restricting tobacco sales. METHODS: 1,588 people aged 13-70 were interviewed at home about their level of agreement with eight possible tobacco sales restrictions, which were combined to create a dichotomous scale indicating low agreement (agree with none to three of eight restrictions) or high agreement (agree with four or more of eight restrictions). Levels of agreement were analyzed by demographic segments defined by age, gender, education and income and by tobacco use status. RESULTS: Across all eight forms of tobacco sales restrictions, the average support for tobacco sales restrictions was 85.2% which is a high level of support. Among smokers, 71% of women and 87% of men indicated a high level of agreement for restricted tobacco sales; among occasional smokers 54% and 55% respectively. Above 95% of female and male ex-smokers and never smokers expressed high level of agreement with sales restrictions. After adjustment for other predictors, agreement was significantly associated with age (more agreement with higher age) and smoking status (more agreement among never-smokers, less in current smokers), while there were no significant differences in agreement by gender, education, and income. DISCUSSION: It is of high importance for Georgia to fully implement the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including strong sales restrictions, and there is good evidence of public support for doing so. CONCLUSION: The present findings indicate to Georgian public health authorities that the support for tightened tobacco sales restrictions is high

Ставлення громадськості до заборони продажу тютюну: результати національно-репрезентативного опитування з колишньої радянської республіки Грузія

BACKGROUND: In the Caucasus region country of Georgia, no data on public opinion regarding tobacco sales restrictions have been available until now. The aim of the study is to provide data from a nationally representative sample including non-smokers, ex-smokers and current smokers, on their level of support for restricting tobacco sales. METHODS: 1,588 people aged 13-70 were interviewed at home about their level of agreement with eight possible tobacco sales restrictions, which were combined to create a dichotomous scale indicating low agreement (agree with none to three of eight restrictions) or high agreement (agree with four or more of eight restrictions). Levels of agreement were analyzed by demographic segments defined by age, gender, education and income and by tobacco use status. RESULTS: Across all eight forms of tobacco sales restrictions, the average support for tobacco sales restrictions was 85.2% which is a high level of support. Among smokers, 71% of women and 87% of men indicated a high level of agreement for restricted tobacco sales; among occasional smokers 54% and 55% respectively. Above 95% of female and male ex-smokers and never smokers expressed high level of agreement with sales restrictions. After adjustment for other predictors, agreement was significantly associated with age (more agreement with higher age) and smoking status (more agreement among never-smokers, less in current smokers), while there were no significant differences in agreement by gender, education, and income. DISCUSSION: It is of high importance for Georgia to fully implement the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including strong sales restrictions, and there is good evidence of public support for doing so. CONCLUSION: The present findings indicate to Georgian public health authorities that the support for tightened tobacco sales restrictions is high. KEYWORDS: tobacco; tobacco control; tobacco control policy; public attitude; sales restriction; tobacco sales restriction; youth access; law; FCTC.АКТУАЛЬНОСТЬ: В стране кавказского региона Грузии до настоящего времени не было результатов исследований об отношении общественности к ограничению продаж табачных изделий. Целью данного исследования является получение сведений по национально-репрезентативной выборке, включающей некурящих, бывших курильщиков и нынешних курильщиков, об уровне поддержки ограничений продажи табака. МЕТОДЫ: 1588 человек 13-70 лет были опрошены у них дома об их согласии с восьмью возможными ограничениями продаж, эти ответы затем были скомбинированы для получения дихотомической переменной, противопоставляющей низкий уровень согласия (от нуля до трех из восьми ограничений) и высокий уровень (согласие с четырьмя и более из восьми ограничений). Уровень согласия сопоставляли по демографическим группам, определяемым возрастом, полом, образованием и уровнем доходов, а также в зависимости от курительного статуса. РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ: Средний уровень согласия при сравнении восьми вариантов ограничений продаж табака составил 85,2%, что составляет высокий уровень поддержки. Среди курильщиков 71% женщин и 87% мужчин обозначили высокий уровень поддержки ограничений продаж, среди эпизодических курильщиков 54% и 55% соответственно. Среди бывших курильщиков и некурящих более 95% респондентов сообщили о высоком уровне поддержки ограничений продаж табака. После учета других факторов, уровень согласия определялся возрастом (большая поддержка выражалась людьми старшего возраста) и курительным статусом (более высокий уровень согласия выражали никогда не курившие, меньший – нынешние курильщики), при этом не было существенных различий в зависимости от пола, образования и уровня доходов. ОБСУЖДЕНИЕ: Важно, чтобы Грузия полностью выполнила требования Рамочной Конвенции по контролю над табаком, включая ограничения продаж, и данное исследование свидетельствует об общественной поддержки этих действий. ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ: Полученные результаты указывают органам здравоохранения Грузии на высокую поддержку ужесточения ограничений продаж. КЛЮЧЕВЫЕ СЛОВА: табак; контроль над табаком; политика контроля над табаком; отношение общественности; ограничение продаж; ограничение продажи табака; доступ молодежи; РКБТ

Data from: Attitudes towards smoking restrictions and tobacco advertisement bans in Georgia

BACKGROUND: The level of public support for restrictions on tobacco use is an important element in a nation’s response to the need for tobacco control. However, no data have been available from Georgia on public opinion regarding smoking restrictions in public places, and on bans on tobacco advertisement, sponsorship and promotion. METHODS: 1,588 respondents aged 13-70 were interviewed at home about their level of agreement with eight possible smoking restrictions, used to calculate a dichotomous scale indicating high versus low level of agreement with restrictions. RESULTS: In all demographic segments, and among tobacco users, a majority of respondents indicated a high level of agreement with restrictions, ranging from a low of 51% in the 13-25 age group to a high of 98% in the 56-70 age group. Logistic regression with all demographic variables entered showed that agreement with restrictions rose significantly with age and was significantly higher among never smokers compared to daily smokers. Across all items, the average public support for smoking restrictions and tobacco advertisement bans was 84.9%. DISCUSSION: This study provides good quality evidence of a high level of public support in Georgia for strong smoking restrictions and the total ban of tobacco ads and sponsorship, even among daily smokers. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a methodology for gathering national public opinion data to influence policies towards implementation of stronger smoking control measures. Therein lies the relevance of this study beyond the borders of Georgia

Data from: Attitudes towards smoking restrictions and tobacco advertisement bans in Georgia

BACKGROUND: The level of public support for restrictions on tobacco use is an important element in a nation’s response to the need for tobacco control. However, no data have been available from Georgia on public opinion regarding smoking restrictions in public places, and on bans on tobacco advertisement, sponsorship and promotion. METHODS: 1,588 respondents aged 13-70 were interviewed at home about their level of agreement with eight possible smoking restrictions, used to calculate a dichotomous scale indicating high versus low level of agreement with restrictions. RESULTS: In all demographic segments, and among tobacco users, a majority of respondents indicated a high level of agreement with restrictions, ranging from a low of 51% in the 13-25 age group to a high of 98% in the 56-70 age group. Logistic regression with all demographic variables entered showed that agreement with restrictions rose significantly with age and was significantly higher among never smokers compared to daily smokers. Across all items, the average public support for smoking restrictions and tobacco advertisement bans was 84.9%. DISCUSSION: This study provides good quality evidence of a high level of public support in Georgia for strong smoking restrictions and the total ban of tobacco ads and sponsorship, even among daily smokers. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a methodology for gathering national public opinion data to influence policies towards implementation of stronger smoking control measures. Therein lies the relevance of this study beyond the borders of Georgia