The Yazd People’s Point of View about Effect of Visual Media on Smoking Prevalence

Abstract

Introduction: Majority of media users are teenagers which has deeply potential impact either positive or negative on cognitive, social and behavioral and also development of children and adolescent. There is a strong positive correlation between the onset of smoking in adolescents and young adults, and exposure to media and movies which shown consumption of smoking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the views of the people of Yazd, Iran on the impact of visual media on the prevention and incidence of smoking among adolescents and young adults. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive (cross-sectional) study. Participants were 582 individuals living in the city of Yazd. The self administrative questionnaire was used which validity and reliability was measured. After completing the questionnaires, the data was analyzed with using SPSS Version 16. Results: Based on participants' view role of family, friends and media respectively were more important in tendency of teenagers and adolescents smoking users. Almost 80 percent of subjects showed that influence of smoking in the media on a positive attitude towards tobacco smoking among adolescents and young people was very high. More than 55% of participants confirmed that the lack of smoking in movies is not effective in quality of the films. It was also confirmed, that in last month advertisements and anti-smoking programs were not seen by participants. Conclusion: The present study suggest control and monitoring on media, limitation or lack of smoking on media and films is an important factor to decreasing and control of smoking in adolescents and young adults.