Smoking Attitudes and Prevalence of a Somali Population in London

Abstract

AbstractThis research examines the prevalence and attitudes of smoking among a Somali population in London. Eight focus groups and 77 assisted questionnaires were conducted. Findings show that there was little knowledge of local smoking cessation services and several themes arose including: the format and ineffective promotion of the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) Stop Smoking Services, health prom xotion and ambivalence towards preventative health behaviour. Smoking rates in this Somali population appear to be higher than in the UK general population, and higher still among men over 40 years old and those that regularly use qat. Smoking cessation services for the Somali population may be more popular if there were group clinics and culturally effective promotion of the services. The relationship between qat use and smoking should be considered when targeting services to the Somali population.