Abstract:
This study employed a qualitative research method using informal and in-depth interviews, I participant observation and non-participant observation techniques, to study the socio-cultural patterns of 1:5 male smoking vendors working in the municipal fresh market Nakhonpathom. Among one group of vendors, cigarette smoking began in teenage hood and in another it began when they started work. The current smoking habit resulted from this use. Work, peer group, relationships with colleagues, customers, environment, lifestyle, family and economic status influenced the presence and maintenance of smoking. Nowadays, smoking is found in two patterns; the first is regular smokers who smoke all the time or all occasions, everywhere, and whenever they want to smoke. Without smoking, they would start fidgeting, or hands shaking. Generally they have a long history of smoking. The second group is irregular smokers. Some vendors defined smoking as a way to release stress, sleepiness, and fatigue from their workload and from a boring working environment. Smoking also is defined as a signal of generosity among friends and colleagues, a way to increase pleasure during conversations with friends or customers and to release a feeling of loneliness as well. Most of the smokers buy Krongthip because they are familiar with its taste and its availability. They spend between 50-2000 baht a month for cigarettes. Those who want to quit, buy cigarettes separately or they choose to smoke a kind of cigarette made from rolling tobacco in Chak leaves especially those who are married and starting to experience health problems. The campaign against smoking by using a warning message on the cigarette package still does not convey clear message. Knowledge from other types of media is also inadequate. There is no campaign against smoking in the market. The law against smoking in public areas is recognized by only a few people. There is no media display at the fresh market. Only a few people smoke in the restricted places. Moreover, the law forbidding selling cigarettes to children under 18 bas turned out to be ineffective since there are numerous stores and the owners don't strictly comply with the law. Suggestions from this study are that there should be development of vivid warnings that convey the hazards of smoking e.g. pictures and a media campaign that are in accordance with the vendor's lifestyles such as more announcements on the night television programs, more campaigns in the fresh markets with posters, exhibitions, etc. and this must go along with the campaign against alcohol drinking as well. Furthermore, it is necessary for the law forbidding selling cigarettes to children to be enforced. Campaigns should also be aimed of especially at those who have never smoked and those who want to quit.
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