Female Smoking Behaviors and Female Smoking Related Social Stigma: Qualitative Research Using Focus Group Discussion

Eon Sook Lee; HyeonSuk Kim; Young-Su Ju; Minsu Ock

doi:10.25055/JKSRNT.2024.15.1.8

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https://doi.org/10.25055/JKSRNT.2024.15.1.8

Female Smoking Behaviors and Female Smoking Related Social Stigma: Qualitative Research Using Focus Group Discussion

J Korean Soc Res Nicotine Tob 2024; 15(1): 8-18

Published online March 30, 2024

Eon Sook Lee¹, HyeonSuk Kim^2*, Young-Su Ju³, Minsu Ock⁴

¹Department of Family Medicine, Ilsan-Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Goyang, ²School of Nursing, Shinhan University, Uijeongbu, ³National Medical Center, Seoul, ⁴Department of Preventive Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea

Correspondence to: ^*김현숙
신한대학교 간호대학
E-mail: september7777@hanmail.net
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5412-0188

Received March 12, 2024; Revised March 28, 2024; Accepted March 28, 2024.

This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, dis-tribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract: Background: Women who smoke are thought to exhibit different smoking and cessation behaviors compared with men; however, research on this topic is limited. In this study, we assessed the characteristics, concealment of smoking and the related social pressure as experienced by women smokers.
Methods: A focus group discussion was conducted with women aged 20-39 years, who were divided into three groups: current smokers (N=8), former smokers (N=8), and non-smokers (N=6). A semi-structured survey was conducted using open-ended questions to allow the participants to freely express their opinions. Data were analyzed using a consensual qualitative research methodology.
Results: In total, 4 overarching and distinct domains, 13 subdomains, and 55 key elements emerged. The four domains were the motivation to start smoking; smoking behaviors; stigma related to women smokers and concealment of smoking status; and the experience and awareness of quitting smoking. Results showed that most women started smoking due to pressure from friends, and their extent of smoking was small. Women smokers reported experiencing social pressure related to their smoking behaviors.
Conclusion: It is necessary to establish a smoking cessation policy that reflects the characteristics of women smokers by understanding their smoking and cessation behavior and the social pressure they experience.; Keywords : Female; Smoking; Smoking cessation; Social pressure; Qualitative research

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