Sociodemographic Differences in Smoking Knowledge in Malaysia

• Published date: 01 April 2019
• Author: Yong Kang Cheah,Chien Huey Teh,Hock Kuang Lim
• Date: 01 April 2019
• DOI: 10.1177/0022042618821195
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042618821195

Journal of Drug Issues

2019, Vol. 49(2) 355 –368

© The Author(s) 2018

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DOI: 10.1177/0022042618821195

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Article

Sociodemographic Differences in

Smoking Knowledge in Malaysia

Yong Kang Cheah1, Chien Huey Teh2,

and Hock Kuang Lim2

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to examine the sociodemographic determinants of amount

of smoking knowledge in Malaysia. Data are obtained from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey

(GATS). The GATS uses a multistage stratified sampling. A total of 4,153 respondents are used

for analyses. The effects of sociodemographic factors on smoking knowledge are examined

using a negative binomial regression. Age, wealth index, education, ethnicity, house locality,

and smoking behavior are significantly associated with smoking knowledge. In particular,

there are negative relationships between smoking knowledge and higher wealth index, less-

educated individuals, Chinese, rural dwellers, and smokers. The present study concludes that

sociodemographic factors play an important role in determining smoking knowledge. Hence, as

an intervention measure directed toward improving the knowledge of smoking among Malaysian

population, effective policies should pay special attention to individuals who are likely to have

poor information on smoking.

Keywords

age, education, ethnicity, knowledge, smoking

Introduction

It is clearly evident that smoking is harmful to health. Each year, at least 7 million deaths are

related to smoking (World Health Organization, 2015). Smoking will account for more than 8

million deaths by 2030. The majority of deaths (90%) will occur in developing countries (Institute

of Public Health, 2012). In Malaysia, about one third of deaths in government hospitals are

caused by smoking (Institute of Public Health, 2012). Moreover, smoking is a heavy economic

burden. Each year, government spends approximately Ringgit Malaysia (RM) 3 billion on treat-

ing smoking-induced diseases (Cheah & Naidu, 2012). Considering these worrying facts and

figures, various policies directed toward reducing the prevalence of smoking have been imple-

mented. These include banning tobacco advertisements and raising legal age for smoking.

However, the outcomes are not very promising. This may be attributable to the fact that the poli-

cies have failed to improve public knowledge and awareness of the adverse effects of smoking.

1Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Malaysia

2Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Corresponding Author:

Yong Kang Cheah, School of Economics, Finance and Banking, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010

UUM Sintok, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia.

Email: cheahykang@gmail.com

821195JODXXX10.1177/0022042618821195Journal of Drug IssuesCheah et al.

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