Based on the data from the 2006 China Health and Nutrition Survey, the Chi-Square Test of Independence shows a significant relationship between the two dependent variables. The data shows a strong connection between cigarette smoking and gender, with significantly more male smokers than female smokers. This association has a considerable statistical significance. It indicates the importance of how gender impacts smoking behavior and highlights the need for developing gender-specific approaches to provide more targeted interventions, aiding in public policy making.
The rate of smoking among males and females is affected by social implications and the stereotype emphasizing the attitude towards the product. In 2022, Jin et al. stated that studies showed both smokers and non-smokers viewed smoking as representing freedom, masculinity, male power, and facilitating social connections. WHO revealed in 2012 that smoking not only causes harm to personal health but also affects economies, and societies. Smoking triggers numerous diseases, especially respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. There will be much higher health-care costs due to these health effects.
Preventive actions in the form of smoking cessation programs and educational campaigns aimed at gender-specific concepts should be offered. Raising awareness of the underlying gender-specific health outcomes from tobacco use can improve the implementation of these actions. The gender factor is one of the essential factors that can be revealed within the smoking problem statement and will require targeted interventions to make public health policy governed by knowledge that can inform gender-based smoking disparities.
