ATTITUDES TOWARD CIGRETTE SMOKING AS

DEVIANT BEHAVIOR

Abstract

This study investigates on-going changes in the attitudes towards cigarette

smoking. It examines changes in the attitudes of both students and employees for

tow periods of time 1991 and 1995. It consists of 417 males (54.58%) and 347

females (45%). A total of 35% of the sample are smokers. It is made up of more

than half males (59%) and (9%) of them females.  Findings show a significant

increase in opposing cigarette smoking for males and female in 1995 compared to

1991.

Significant differences were found in the attitude towards cigarette smoking

attributed to time lag, smoking status, sex, and job (F= 7.713,81.892, 25.017,

34.399; P=.005, .0001,.0001, .0001 respectively).

Moreover, significant changes in the process of labeling deviance categories

over  time (1991 vs. 1995) are obvious. Smokers have accepted negative social

labels attached to their smoking behavior. There is an increase in the amount of

this acceptance over the time. Non-smokers are tougher on labeling smokers.

Significant changes has occurred in defining and redefining cigarette smoking as

deviant behavior