CHILDRENS SMOKING - THE SHOPKEEPERS PERSPECTIVE

A self-administered postal questionnaire was sent to 216 Bolton shopke epers to examine their knowledge and attitudes about children's smokin g. The response rate was 76%. A majority of respondents (57%) were in favour of banning cigarette advertising; this option was supported by significantly more women (73%) than men (46%), (p<0.05). There was wid espread recognition of the harmful consequences of children's smoking (97%), although the highly addictive nature of cigarettes was not as w idely acknowledged (41%). Many of the shopkeepers perceived children's smoking as a normal part of growing up (49%); this view was held more frequently by shopkeepers who had smoked during their own childhood ( 62%). Challenging shopkeepers' acceptance of children's smoking as a n ormal part: of growing up, and increasing their awareness about the hi ghly addictive nature of cigarettes, may reduce their willingness to s ell cigarettes to children.