Engagement of Children and Youth in Tobacco Products Control : A Case Study in Bangkok

Abstract

Tobacco products inevitably affected health. The relevant agencies had issued measures to control tobacco products through participation from all sectors, especially children and youth, who were directly affected. The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the relationship between basic knowledge about tobacco products of children and youth affecting participation in tobacco product control, and 2) to study the roles of agencies at the policy and operational levels in relation to the participation of tobacco product control. This was mixed-method research. The sample group used in the quantitative research was 400 children and youth aged 12-25 years in Bangkok. The tools used to collect the data were tests and questionnaires. The statistics used for data analysis were multiple regression analysis. The tool used in the qualitative research was an unstructured, in-depth interview with four heads of policy and operational levels involved in participatory tobacco product control.

The results showed that:

1) Fundamental knowledge factors related to tobacco products could explain the overall participation of children and youth by 12.7%. Fundamental factors, long-term effects, and effects of tobacco smoke exposure had a statistically significant effect on overall participation at the .01 level.

2) The role of the agency was found that at the policy and operational level, children and youth were encouraged to play a role in planning, activities, utilization, and receiving the benefits directly.

The results of this research could be used to further develop guidelines and create participation of children and youth in the Bangkok area towards tobacco product control by relevant agencies at various levels.