G-1409

Environmental hazards of cigarette butts as Invisible Litter: Smokers' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Toward Their Disposal

 Maede Hosseinnia ¹ © ℗, Firozeh Mostafavi ¹   

 
Abstract

Abstract Background: Cigarette butts constitute a substantial environmental risk factor, often underrated owing to their omnipresence and potential toxicity. Smokers' knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding disposal of cigarette butts need to be known to devise effective interventions. 4. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 637 Isfahan smokers using Demographics and Researcher-made knowledge, attitude, and behavior questionnaire were collected. Pearson's correlation and GLM regression model were used to examine significant correlations and predictors. 5. Results: The mean age of the smokers was 37.69 ± 6.03 years. Among the participants, 39.4% showed high knowledge about cigarette butts, 31.6% had a positive attitude, and 29% showed high levels of appropriate practices. Attitudes and knowledge were also positively correlated with behavior, with higher knowledge (p = 0.004) and attitudes (p = 0.016) correlating with more responsible behaviors. The findings also revealed strong relationships between demographic factors (age, Gender, education, income) and knowledge, attitudes, and cigarette butt disposal behaviors (p 0.001). 6. Conclusion and Discussion: Health knowledge and positive attitudes interventions can be effective in promoting healthier behaviors among Smokers populations. demographic predictors like gender, age, education and income are good predictors of environmental hazards of cigarette butts. So, there is a vital need for smoker's education programs

Keywords: Cigarette butts, environment hazards, knowledge, attitudes, behavior, smokers