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Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
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Smoking in Adults in Sri Lanka: Prevalence and Attitudes

B. Perera, BSc, MSc

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka, pperera{at}indiana.edu

P. Fonseka, MBBS, PhD

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka

R. Ekanayake, MD, MRCP

Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lanka

E. Lelwala, BA

Department of Economics, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka

A questionnaire was administered to 1565 adults to identify the prevalence of smoking and to assess respondents' attitudes toward smoking. Of men 41% were yearly smokers, 27.8% were monthly smokers and 21% were daily smokers. The corresponding figures for women were 3.4%, 2% and 0.6% respectively. Higher prevalence rates were observed among less educated, middle-aged men who were from underprivileged families. About 23% of men and 0.9% of women were monthly alcohol users. Alcohol use seems to be positively associated with smoking. A considerable portion of both smokers and non-smokers expressed a favorable attitude towards smoking habits of adult males (40.1% of smokers and 12.8% of non-smokers) and towards the tobacco industry (25.1% of smokers and 13.1 of non-smokers). Since the majority of people in Sri Lanka are non-smokers, attitudinal support given by them in promoting smoking in the society needs to be addressed effectively in smoking control interventions. Asia Pac J Public Health 2005: 17(1): 40-45.

Key Words: Alcohol • attitudes • smoking • Sri Lanka.

Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, Vol. 17, No. 1, 40-45 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/101053950501700110
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