Evaluation of Smokers' Attitudes about Tobacco Control Program and Obstacles to the Implementation of this Program in Tehran

This study aimed to assess the status of cigarette marketing in Tehran and the attitude of smokers toward smoking Behavior and tobacco control programs in smokers of Tehran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 608 volunteer smokers in Tehran City. Using a stratified cluster random sampling method, the study population involved smokers who used at least one cigarette per day. The data collection tool was an anonymous self-administered questionnaire including basic information and questions related to participants' attitude toward smoking habits (Cronbach's alpha; 78.19%.). (72.9%) of the participants started smoking at the age of 10 to 19 years and 72.2% used foreign cigarettes. Each person spends a daily average of 30690 riyals for cigarettes. Being tempted (28.0%), feeling euphoria (27.8%) and getting nervous (25.5%) were the most common reasons of restarting cigarette smoking after cessation. A majority of the participants believed that smoking in public places was a violation of the rights of others and smoking should be avoided in such places. 61 Iranian and foreign cigarette brands available in the market that some foreign cigarettes were smuggled. Most smokers start smoking as teenagers, then smoking prevention programs should focus on adolescents as the most vulnerable age group. Raising the retail price of tobacco products through increasing taxes can reduce consumption particularly among first starters and youth. increasing taxes and prices of tobacco products may be effective when simultaneous effective measures are implemented to eliminate all kinds of illicit trade in all forms of tobacco products