Associations Between Pro/Anti-Tobacco Media and Messaging Exposure and Knowledge and Support of Smoke-Free Policy Among Adults in Armenia and Georgia

Abstract

Context: Despite high smoking rates, Armenia and Georgia recently adopted smoke-free policies (2022 and 2018). Objective: We examined associations between exposure to pro-tobacco media (news opposing smoke-free policies; cigarette, e-cigarette, heated tobacco product [HTP] advertisements) and anti-tobacco media (media, community-based action) and (1) knowledge that the policies applied to alternative tobacco products (ATPs), and (2) support for the policies applying to ATPs and various settings. Design: We analyzed 2022 survey data. Setting: Data were from 28 communities in Armenia and Georgia. Participants: The sample comprised 1468 adults (31.6% past-month smokers). Methods: We conducted multivariable regressions, controlling for country and sociodemographics. Results: Participants were knowledgeable that the policy applied to ATPs (79.2%) and supportive of them applying to ATPs and various settings (means = 3.43 and 3.00; 1-4 = strongly support). Greater exposure to anti-tobacco media/community-based action correlated with more likely knowing that the policies applied to ATPs and greater support of the policies applying to various settings; HTP advertisement exposure correlated with less support of the policies applying to various settings. Less exposure to news opposing smoke-free policies and greater exposure to media supporting such policies correlated with greater support of the policies applying to ATPs. Conclusions: Media and community-based action may promote smoke-free policy knowledge and support. HTP advertisements may uniquely undermine smoke-free policies.