Smoking and ill health: does lay epidemiology explain the failure of smoking cessation programs among deprived populations?
The resistance of disadvantaged groups to anti-smoking advice is remarkable. In relation to the study of differing cultures, there is a long-standing academic tradition assuming that behavior that may otherwise be difficult to understand is indeed rational within particular cultural contexts. Persistent smoking among the most deprived members of society may represent a rational response to their life chances informed by a lay epidemiology. Health promotion initiatives designed to reduce smoking among members of these groups may continue to fail unless the general health and life chances of such individuals are first improved.
Lawlor
Debbie A
DA
Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, England. d.a.lawlor@bristol.ac.uk
Frankel
Stephen
S
Shaw
Mary
M
Ebrahim
Shah
S
Smith
George Davey
GD
D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012923:Social Class; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*