<< Epidemiology and Intervention Research Focus groups (80) were conducted with health care providers, teachers and community members. Strong pro-smoking attitudes were found in non-smokers and smokers alike and across key professional groups, such as doctors and teachers. Salient misconceptions and attitudes that perpetuate the social acceptance of smoking include the identification of smoking as a symbol of personal freedom, the importance of tobacco in social and cultural interactions, the ability to control the health effects of smoking through “reasonable” and “measured” use, and the importance of tobacco to the economy.
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