The beliefs and attitudes of a group of men in mid-life towards tobacco use

This paper considers the attitudes and beliefs of a group of men in mid-life, living in the city of Glasgow, towards smoking. Utilising an ethnographic interviewing technique it explores, in depth, issues which have been highlighted by earlier studies using more prevalent social-science questionnaire methods. The findings corroborate those of other studies particularly with regard to the reasons as to why people smoke, and the clear association between high levels of smoking and drinking. It goes further, however, in showing the importance of social forces in these issues. Changes in the strength of anti-smoking feelings in the general population, how work and leisure relate to smoking, the importance of breaks in daily routine for giving up smoking, and how the round sharing of cigarettes influences the pace and quantity of cigarettes smoked, are discussed.