Women, withdrawal of tobacco consumption and gender barriers

• Main Author: María Luisa Jiménez Rodrigo
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad de Alicante 2011-12-01
• Series: Feminismo/s
• Subjects: abandono del consumo de tabaco; mujeres; desigualdad de género; investigación cualitativa
• Online Access: https://feminismos.ua.es/article/view/2011-n18-mujeres-abandono-de-consumo-de-tabaco-y-barreras-de-genero

This paper aims to analyze from a gender perspective obstacles that hinder smoking cessation among women. A multimodal methodology is applied based on secondary research upon the Spanish National Health Survey and in-depth interviews delivered to an intentional sample of smokers and ex-smokers women. Women present lower smoking cessation rates than men. Specifically, greatest difficulties to smoking cessation are showed by female over 45 year-old and those of low socioeconomic status. The main barriers for quitting smoking seem linked to beliefs about addiction and health effects of tobacco as well as loss of social, emotional and physical benefits attached to smoking. Also, influences of gender biases in health policy and unequal access to resources are discussed.