The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: (1)-to investigate knowledge, attitude and perception of women toward smoking among women and men, (2) to identify social norms and beliefs about tobacco use (3) to identify exposure to pro and anti tobacco activities.

Methods: Qualitative methods were used included documents review, In-depth interviews, Observation and Focus Group Discussion women aged 40 years and over.

Results: Most of women do not like tobacco use in community particularly smoking among women and men. But there was a strong negative attitude toward tobacco use among young women aged less than 25 years. Young women smokers were considered as "fire women" or "prostitutes". Tobacco chewing among old women was accepted as traditional practice and it was perceived as not risky practice. But a few people disliked tobacco chewing among old women.

Community women were aware of short-term tobacco-related harms. But they did not have knowledge on health effects caused by tobacco use on their health, on economic, and on environment. Participants believed that tobacco use was part of Khmer traditions. Women started using tobacco later than men mostly after she got married and had children.

Community people were extensively exposed to pro-tobacco activities in community such as local advertisment, and mass media activities. In contrast, anti-tobacco activities was very little. Most of smokers did not know how to quit smoking. Some have tried to quit on their own while they were sick but they relapsed. Women request support and help to quit using tobacco and to secure crops market to replace their tobacco plantation.