The low prevalence of female smoking in the developing world: gender inequality or maternal adaptations for fetal protection? | Zendy

Edward H. Hagen | Zendy; Melissa J. Garfield | Zendy; Roger J. Sullivan | Zendy

Open Access

The low prevalence of female smoking in the developing world: gender inequality or maternal adaptations for fetal protection?

Author(s) -

Edward H. Hagen,

Melissa J. Garfield,

Roger J. Sullivan

Publication year - 2016

Publication title -

evolution medicine and public health

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427

H-Index - 22

ISSN - 2050-6201

DOI - 10.1093/emph/eow013

Subject(s) - offspring , demography , inequality , medicine , developing country , smoking prevalence , fertility , gender equality , nicotine , pregnancy , environmental health , population , biology , mathematical analysis , ecology , genetics , mathematics , sociology , gender studies

Female smoking prevalence is dramatically lower in developing countries (3.1%) than developed countries (17.2%), whereas male smoking is similar (32% vs 30.1%). Low female smoking has been linked to high gender inequality. Alternatively, to protect their offspring from teratogenic substances, pregnant and lactating women appear to have evolved aversions to toxic plant substances like nicotine, which are reinforced by cultural proscriptions. Higher total fertility rates (TFRs) in developing countries could therefore explain their lower prevalence of female smoking.

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