| Summary: | Introduction
Smoking is the most common method to consume tobacco. Although
the prevalence of smoking is on the increase among females, it is still shown to be
lower when compared with males, as there is a buildup of stigma towards tobacco
smokers, with structural discrimination beginning to emerge. This study explored
the effect of gender on stigmatizing attitude and behavior towards tobacco smokers.
Methods
An experimental vignette study design was used to explore the effect
of gender on stigmatizing attitudes towards tobacco smokers of 151 students of
both genders from Kuwait University. Students were divided into control and
experimental groups and were provided with describing vignettes of male (control)
and female (experimental) tobacco smokers along with the standard stigmatization
questionnaire 1 (SSQ1). Data were analyzed using independent samples t-test, a
p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results
Female smokers were more stigmatized than male smokers (p=0.007). In
social self-interest, more students think that it is socially acceptable for men to
smoke than it is for women (p<0.001). In evolutionary self-interest, there was a
significant difference between the participants in accepting to marry or to have a
relative who is a smoker (p<0.001), indicating disapproval for female smokers. In
psychological self-interest, female tobacco smokers were not considered as good
parents compared to male tobacco smokers (p=0.003).
Conclusions
The findings of the study indicate the presence of stigmatizing attitudes
towards female tobacco smokers in contrast to male tobacco smokers.
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