Smoking Settings, Intensity, Influencing Factors and Costs among Smokers in Amassoma, Nigeria

Abstract

Cigarette smoking is the largest risk factor that leads to premature death globally. This study evaluated the common smoking settings, intensity of smoking, the factors influencing smoking and cost implications of smoking among smokers in Amassoma, a university town in Bayelsa state of Nigeria. 254 questionnaires were administered randomly to consenting respondents. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 20.  74.5 % of smokers sometimes smoked when they drank alcohol; 61% sometimes smoked when they were in the company of their friends; 62.9% and 62.4% respectively never smoked in the company of relatives and work mates. 51.8% claimed that friends were the major influence which resulted to their smoking habit. 58.2% and 76.6% respectively smoked 1-10 sticks per day and at a sitting; 41.8% smoked a stick in every 2-3hour; 22% smoked a stick in every 15-20mins, and 11.3% were chain smokers. 39% of respondents smoked anywhere, 25.5% reported they smoked at parties while 24.8% of the respondents smoked at home. 31.9% took Kola-nut; 31.2% smoked Indian hemp as well; 35.7% claimed that friends had high influence while 23.9% claimed that their family had moderate influence on their smoking habits. 91.4% procured cigarette with their own money; 94.3% spent 50 – 1000 naira daily and 78.2% spent 1000-5000 naira monthly on smoking. Anti-smoking campaigns and public enlightenment to create awareness on the adverse effects of smoking are strongly recommended in this community.

Key words: Cigarette smoking; Settings, Influencers, Costs, Nigeria