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Smoking and problem gambling in NZ: problem gamblers' rates of smoking increase when they gamble
Author(s) -
Sullivan Sean,
Beer Hannah
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he03192
Subject(s) - population health , health economics , environmental health , public health , advertising , psychology , medicine , demography , business , population , sociology , nursing
Issue addressed Those seeking help for gambling problems have a high prevalence of smoking and may increase their rate of smoking when gambling. This may raise awareness of the increased risk from some problem gamblers to all gamblers (and staff) for tobacco‐related health problems and may support legislation that restricts smoking in gambling environments. Methods Clients attending a day treatment centre for problem gambling were invited to complete a questionnaire around smoking rates and an estimate of the smoking rates on gambling and non‐gambling days. Perceptions were invited around effects of smoking and smoking changes when gambling. Results The response rate was 100% (n=79). 67% were tobacco smokers compared with 25% of the New Zealand population, most (89%) starting their tobacco use prior to their first gambling. Just 2.5% had given up smoking. Most (82%) perceived their smoking increased during gambling. Conclusion Prevalence rate of tobacco use by problem gamblers seeking help for their gambling behaviour is high and their tobacco consumption appears to increase substantially while gambling.