Social representations of smoking and attitudes towards smoking restrictions in the Norwegian Navy

The present study investigated the relationship between social representati ons about smokers and smoking, and attitudes towards smoking restrictions. Data were collected by means of questionnaires among a sample of employees (n = 4244) in the Norwegian Navy. Based on the results from first- and seco nd-order principal components analyses, three dimensions of social represen tations were identified. The dimensions were labeled "negative representati ons", "positive representations" and "social influence". The three dimensio ns clearly differentiated between daily, occasional and non-smokers. Furthe r, structural equation modeling of the relation between social representati ons and attitudes towards smoking restrictions, indicated that social repre sentations function as intermediating factors of the effect from smoking st atus upon attitudes towards smoking restrictions. The findings indicate the need to fetus upon social psychological processes taking place in the interaction between groups of smokers and non-smokers, as understanding of such processes may be relevant in preventing the devel opment of group conflict.