Exploring factors influencing smoking behaviour in Malaysia.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of present study is to investigate the determinants of smoking behaviour among adults in Malaysia.


METHODS
Findings of the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-3) by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, were used. The sample consisted of 34,539 observations. A logistic regression model was thus applied to estimate the probability to participate in smoking.


RESULTS
Age, income, gender, marital status, ethnicity, employment status, residential area, education, lifestyle and health status were statistically significant in affecting the likelihood of smoking. Specifically, youngsters, low income earners, males, unmarried individuals, Malays, employed individuals, rural residents and primary educated individuals were more likely to smoke.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, socio-demographic, lifestyle and health factors have significant impacts on smoking participation in Malaysia. Based on these empirical findings, several policy implications are suggested.
Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. cheahykang@gmail.com
Yong Kang
YK
Cheah
Balkish Mahadir
BM
Naidu
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data