2021 Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 18-26
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine smoking status and perception of using new tobacco products among employees aged 39 years or younger at a company for the purpose of connecting no smoking support for users of new tobacco products. Methods: Anonymous self-completed questionnaires were distributed to 800 employees aged 39 years or younger at a large IT company. Responses about smoking status and perceptions of smoking were used to compare perceptions between nonsmokers, cigarette smokers, and users of new tobacco products by the chi-square test. Results: 80.6% of respondents were nonsmokers. 19.4% were smokers, among whom 66.7% used new tobacco products. Users of new tobacco products tended to have a lower perception of health risks. However, even nonsmokers found smoking to be socially acceptable. Discussion: Although the health risks of new tobacco products are not yet clear, the finding that users of new tobacco products tended to have a lower perception of health risks suggests a need for guidance. Social acceptance of smoking may also encourage even more people to start using new tobacco products. It is important to promote primary prevention by increasing risk perception among all members of the public, whether they are smokers or nonsmokers.
