OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the willingness to quit cigarette price among Korean male adults, and to examine he factors affecting the willingness to quit cigarette price. METHODS: The data was collected by a random digit dial telephone survey. 702 samples were analyzed by using ttests, ANOVA and OLS regression analysis. To estimate the willingness to quit cigarette price, smokers were asked dichotomous questions with open-ended follow-up and the starting point of the price was randomized by one of 5 bid prices elicited from a pilot study. RESULTS: The mean of the willingness to quit cigarette price was 4,287 Won per package, which was about 2,000 Won higher than the mean of the actual price the smokers now paid. About 41% of respondents were willing to quit smoking if the price of cigarette would be increased by 3,000 Won, and if the price would be increased by 20,000 Won, all respondents were willing to quit smoking. The factors associated with the willingness to quit cigarette price were the place of residence, the amount of smoking and the degree of exposure to smoking through the mass media. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that to get people to quit smoking, increasing the cigarette price would obviously be effective and much higher prices have a greater effect. Furthermore, to enlarge the effect of increased cigarette prices, providing more cessation programs to small towns, reducing the amount of smoking and decreasing or prohibiting advertisements of cigarettes and smoking in the mass media will be efficient.
Adult ; *Commerce ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Motivation ; Smoking/*economics/ethnology ; Smoking Cessation/*ethnology

Objective: To explore the relations between the prevalence of multiple chronic diseases and cigarette smoking behavior in the Chinese adults. Methods: Based on the results: from the 2013 Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (NCD Surveillance), 176 534 Chinese residents aged 18 years and above, covering 298 counties (districts) in 31 provinces, was randomly recruited, using the multi-stage stratified clustering sampling method. Information on demographics, cigarette smoking (status, quantity and period) was obtained through face-to-face interviews and questionnaires. Anthropometric data and blood samples were collected and properly stored for analysis. Results In total, 175 386 adults were included for statistical analyses, with 42.7% as males and 57.3% as females. The prevalence rates of hypertension, high total cholesterol and high triglycerides were 30.4%, 7.2% and 18.0% in male smokers, 35.6%, 14.0%, 10.3% and 15.9% in female smokers respectively, which were all higher than those in the respective non-smokers. Male smokers were found under lower risk on hypertension, but 19% higher on total glycerides when compared with non-smokers of the same sex(OR=1.19, 95%CI:1.10-1.30), when multiple risk factors were under control. Male current smokers with more than 20 cigarettes per day have 41% (OR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.28-1.55) higher risk of high TG than non-smokers. Female smokers presented 40% (OR=1.40, 95%CI: 1.15-1.70) higher risk in high glycerides than the non-smokers. Specifically, women smoking longer than 20 years have 60% (OR=1.60, 95%CI: 1.31-1.95) higher risk of high TG than women smoking less than 20 years. Conclusions: Prevalence rates of certain chronic diseases were seen higher in smokers of both genders. People with longer history of smoking or being heavier smokers, appeared at advanced risk on developing chronic diseases.
Adult ; Aged ; Asian People ; Chronic Disease/ethnology* ; Cigarette Smoking/ethnology* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/epidemiology* ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution ; Sex Factors ; Smoking Cessation ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: To examine the sex-specific associations between tobacco smoking and risk of cardiovascular diseases in Chinese adults. Methods: The present analysis included 487 373 participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank after excluding those with cancer, heart diseases, stroke at baseline survey. The baseline survey was conducted from June 2004 to July 2008. The number of follow-up years was calculated from the time that the participants completed baseline survey to the time of any event: CVD incidence, death, loss of follow-up, or December 31, 2015, whichever occurred first. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate the HRs and 95%CI of incident cardiovascular diseases with tobacco smoking. Results: During a median follow-up of 8.9 years(a total of 4.1 million person years), we documented 33 947 cases of ischemic heart diseases, 6 048 cases of major coronary diseases, 7 794 cases of intracerebral hemorrhage, and 31 722 cases of cerebral infarction. The prevalence of smoking was much higher in men (67.9%) than in women (2.7%). Smoking increased risk of all subtypes of cardiovascular diseases. Compared with nonsmokers, the multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CI) for current smokers were 1.54 (1.43-1.66) for major coronary event, 1.28 (1.24-1.32) for ischemic heart disease, 1.18 (1.14-1.22) for cerebral infarction, and 1.07 (1.00-1.15) for intracerebral hemorrhage, respectively. Female smokers tended to have greater risk of developing major coronary event associated with amount of tobacco smoked daily (interaction P=0.006) and age when smoking started (interaction P=0.011). There was no sex difference in these two effects for ischemic heart diseases, intracerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction (all interaction P>0.05). Conclusions: This prospective study confirmed increased risk of all subtypes of cardiovascular diseases in current smokers. Smoking was more harmful to women than to men for major coronary event.
Adult ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Smoking/ethnology* ; Smoking Cessation ; Stroke/epidemiology* ; Tobacco Smoking/adverse effects*

This study examined the prevalence and correlated factors of cigarette smoking in a cross-sectional, epidemiological survey of Korean American men living in Maryland (n=333). In this sample, 26.1% were current smokers and 42.3% were former smokers. The older age group (> or= 40 years) was more likely to have quit smoking than the younger age group (< 40 years). In multiple logistic regression analysis, acculturation was associated with smoking status; those who stayed more than 20 years in the U.S. were less likely to be current smokers (OR=0.32, 95% CI 0.13-0.77) than those who stayed less than 10 years. Alcohol use was associated with smoking status; those who consumed alcohol were more likely to be current smokers (OR=5.24, 95% CI 2.33-11.79) or former smokers (OR=5.45, 95% CI=2.69-11.04) than those did not. Those with hypertension were more likely to have quit smoking (OR=3.11, 95% CI=1.33-7.24). The results suggest that the role of acculturation in smoking status among Korean American men deserves further attention by researchers as well as by health professionals who develop smoking prevention and cessation programs.
*Acculturation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Asian Americans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Emigration and Immigration ; Female ; Human ; Korea/ethnology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Smoking/*epidemiology ; Smoking Cessation ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cigarette smoking is the most common risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, few studies of the attitudes toward COPD of smokers, the group at risk of developing this condition, have been conducted. The purpose of this study was to explore the awareness of and attitudes toward COPD of current smokers. METHODS: The sample consisted of 502 individuals aged 45 and older from throughout Korea who smoked at least 10 packs of cigarettes per year. Telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted with respondents. RESULTS: First, we evaluated the health status of subjects, finding that 45.4% considered themselves to be in good health. We also asked about COPD-related symptoms, and 60.6% of subjects reported such symptoms. However, only 1.2% of subjects had been diagnosed with or treated for COPD, only 0.4% spontaneously mentioned COPD as a respiratory disease, and only 26.5% recognized COPD as a respiratory disease after seeing a list of such diseases. Television ranked as the top source of information about COPD. The willingness of 45.0% of subjects to stop smoking increased after being informed about COPD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having COPD-related symptoms, most smokers did not know that COPD is a respiratory disease. The attitudes of smokers toward COPD and smoking cessation varied according to socioeconomic status. In summary, a continuous effort to increase the awareness of COPD among smokers is needed. Additionally, strategies tailored according to different socioeconomic groups will also be necessary.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*psychology ; *Awareness ; Consumer Health Information ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice/*ethnology ; Health Promotion ; Health Status ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Media ; Middle Aged ; Patient Compliance/ethnology ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis/*ethnology/psychology/therapy ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Risk Reduction Behavior ; Smoking/*adverse effects/*ethnology/prevention & control/psychology ; Smoking Cessation/ethnology ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Time Factors

INTRODUCTIONThis study investigated the effect of an access-enhanced intervention on hypertension screening and management, as well as on health behaviours among newly diagnosed hypertensives, in a multi-ethnic low socioeconomic status (SES) community. Factors associated with hypertension screening, treatment, and control in the community were also determined.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study involved all residents aged ≥40 years in 2 public rental housing precincts (low SES), between 2009 and 2011, who were followed-up prospectively for 1 year after a 6-month community-based intervention comprising a 3-month access-enhanced screening component and a 3-month follow-up (outreach) component. Blood pressure was measured at baseline and follow-up. Multivariate Cox regression determined predictors of hypertension management at follow-up.

RESULTSThe follow-up rate was 80.9% (467/577). At baseline, 60.4% (282/467) were hypertensive; 53.5% (151/282) were untreated; 54.2% (71/131) uncontrolled. One year later, postintervention, 51.6% (78/151) of untreated hypertensives were treated; combined with treated hypertensives previously uncontrolled, 53.0% (79/149) achieved control. Older age independently predicted treatment (adjusted relative risk, aRR = 1.98, CI, 1.08 to 3.65); majority ethnicity (aRR = 1.76, CI, 1.05 to 2.96), employment (aRR = 1.85, CI, 1.26 to 2.80) and newly treated hypertension (aRR=1.52, CI, 1.01 to 2.32) predicted control. A total of 52.4% (97/185) were irregularly screened at baseline; at follow-up 61.9% (60/97) were regularly screened. Cost and misperceptions were common barriers to screening and treatment. Newly diagnosed hypertensives were also less likely to go for additional cardiovascular screening (aRR = 0.54, CI, 0.29 to 0.99).

CONCLUSIONAn access-enhanced intervention had some success in improving hypertension management within low SES communities; however, it was less successful in improving cardiovascular risk management, especially in encouraging lifestyle changes and additional cardiovascular screening amongst newly diagnosed hypertensives.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; statistics & numerical data ; Diet, Sodium-Restricted ; methods ; Exercise Therapy ; methods ; Female ; Health Services Accessibility ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnosis ; ethnology ; therapy ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Patient Compliance ; ethnology ; statistics & numerical data ; Patient Dropouts ; statistics & numerical data ; Poverty ; statistics & numerical data ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Reduction Behavior ; Singapore ; Smoking Cessation ; methods ; Social Class ; Treatment Outcome ; Weight Reduction Programs ; methods