The Female Face of Addiction: The Underlying Reasons for Starting to Smoke or Electronic Cigarettes

Objective

This project aims to identify the social factors (socioeconomic and sociocultural) that lead women in Istanbul to start smoking cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes and to continue doing so. It also aims to evaluate the factors affecting women from different socioeconomic and sociocultural levels starting and continuing to smoke cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes, as well as their perceptions and attitudes towards cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes. Furthermore, the study aims to gain a more detailed understanding of the behavioural effects in starting and continuing smoking and/or e-cigarette use and to develop early intervention strategies targeting these effects. The study aims to develop policies targeting the risk factors that influence women's initiation and continuation of smoking and/or e-cigarette use. 

Scope

The project involves an in-depth investigation of the underlying reasons for cigarette and/or e-cigarette use among the female population. In this context, interviews will be conducted to examine the push and pull factors that lead to the initiation and continuation of cigarette and/or e-cigarette use. The focus is on how social factors, peer influence and family history contribute to women starting and continuing to use cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes. In addition, the study examines which psychological factors motivate women to start and continue using cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes. Furthermore, the study investigates the cultural and environmental determinants of starting smoking and/or e-cigarette use among women. In addition, many other specific topics are addressed within the scope of the project, such as the evaluation of e-cigarette or hookah use prior to smoking, the concomitant use of other tobacco products, the age of initiation of smoking and/or e-cigarette use, the impact of socioeconomic status, advertising and promotion, and perceptions of smoking and/or e-cigarettes.

Expected Outcomes

• Identifying the sociocultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors contributing to women starting to smoke cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes
• To determine women's motivations for maintaining the experience of smoking and/or e-cigarettes
• To identify the factors that shape women's experiences and/or tendencies to quit and/or re-start smoking and/or e-cigarettes. 
• To uncover the gender-based cultural and social norms underlying starting and continuing to smoke and/or vape in women.
• To route women's perceptions of risks and benefits related to smoking and/or vaping.
• To produce scientific evidence to be used as a reference in the development of women-specific health policies related to the prevention of smoking and/or e-cigarette use.
• To provide scientific output for campaigns that will increase public awareness of the factors underlying the behaviors of starting and maintaining smoking and/or e-cigarettes in women. 
• To create the foundations of partnerships that will ensure cooperation with public institutions and organizations and non-governmental organizations in efforts to reduce the frequency of smoking and/or electronic cigarette use.

This project, coordinated by TÜSEB-TÜSPE and officially launched, is of strategic importance to strengthen women's health and public health and is directly aligned with the 2024–2028 Tobacco Control Strategy Document and Action Plan and Sustainable Development Goal 3.A. The project work has been officially started and has reached a stage worth sharing in line with the public interest.