Abstract:
This qualitative study aimed to study the smoking behaviour of petrol station employees and factors related to smoking behaviour. The samples of this study were 13 male employees, in the age range of 15-24 years old, working at 5 petrol stations. Data were collected by using in-depth interview and behaviour observation methods. The study showed that smoking behaviour of petrol station employees was related to their peers, family circumstances and low income. The smoking behaviour was divided into two phases, initial phase and dependency or addicted phase. The initial phase of smoking was related to a lack of good care from the family, economic problems, and having relatives and friends who smoked. Friends were shown to be the most influential on their decision to try smoking. The study found that 10 of them had been smoking before being petrol station employees. and 5 of the samples were in the phase of dependency or smoking addicted. The frequency of smoking varied in different situations of daily living and work shifts. Regarding the employees' opinion, the meaning of smoking mostly referred to belonging to the group, closure, and masculinity. In the initial phase they smoked in hidden places and concealed their habit from families. The reasons for first time smoking were an attempt to try and a need for being accepted. In the dependency or addicted phase, they smoked openly, and felt relaxed. They frequently smoked in the workplace, more than at home. For those who were addicted, if they tried to stop smoking, they felt uncomfortable and harassed, and felt group pressure to continue smoking : therefore they would not give it up. Moreover. they mentioned that they did not really consider the warning information printed on the cigarette cases, and if they read them they didn't understand them all. The results of this study would suggest that campaigns to prevent smoking should make an outreach to petrol station employees. The outreach activities should ask for cooperation from the petrol stations' owners. Petrol stations' owners should also penalize employees for breaking the rules and regulations that prohibit smoking in the petrol station areas. Non-smoking campaigns should be implemented with the cooperation of the petrol station employees who do not smoke, including the persons who quit smoking, by promoting everyone's participation in such campaigns. Health personnel should arrange interventions to provide of knowledge and health care to the petrol station employees.
TRC Data Center