People trust the state less than doctors, which is where smoking comes in
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A healthy recovery from Covid-19 in SA will require more effective and scientifically informed action from the government and doctors. Unfortunately, public trust in the former is less than robust. Our recent survey in July of more than 1,000 adult South Africans shows that respondents have substantially higher trust in doctors than in the national government.
About 40% of those surveyed expressed a lot of trust in doctors, but only 10% hold the government in the same regard. Furthermore, almost a quarter of respondents expressed strong distrust in the government. Only 2% felt similarly about doctors.
We have seen unhealthy behaviours increase during the pandemic, with anxiety and stress compounding this. At the same time, individuals express a desire to change these habits and are seeking guidance on how to do so. They want better health.
Our survey, conducted in July, asked people which behaviours would have the biggest impact on health. Results showed that about half of SA adults believe increased physical activity and decreased consumption of sugary/fatty foods are the most important ways to influence health, and about a quarter believe drinking less alcohol and quitting smoking are the most important.
These four risk factors are the key determinants of many cancers, most heart disease, diabetes and chronic lung disease. Together, they drive the epidemic of chronic diseases.
Still, abstract knowledge about healthy behaviour does not necessarily equate to action. Nor does intent to change ensure an individual will do so. Nowhere is this clearer than in the case of smoking. Our survey showed that 80% of daily smokers seek to smoke less, and 58% said the pandemic has increased their desire to quit.
Yet, the pandemic has not led to a major reduction in smoking — because smokers intending to quit are impeded by a number of factors, including weak insight into the best tactics, poor access to cessation aids, and deep confusion regarding the value of safer nicotine products that can ease the quitting process.
For example, our poll in April found that 70% of respondents incorrectly believed nicotine is a major cause of cancer. Doctors’ roles in addressing many of these factors is inadequate, despite decades of international experience that shows when doctors lead with clear policies and personal example, governments listen, and smokers follow.
Smokers are affected by their mistrust of the government. The ban on legal sales of cigarettes in SA (as well ...
About 40% of those surveyed expressed a lot of trust in doctors, but only 10% hold the government in the same regard. Furthermore, almost a quarter of respondents expressed strong distrust in the government. Only 2% felt similarly about doctors.
We have seen unhealthy behaviours increase during the pandemic, with anxiety and stress compounding this. At the same time, individuals express a desire to change these habits and are seeking guidance on how to do so. They want better health.
Our survey, conducted in July, asked people which behaviours would have the biggest impact on health. Results showed that about half of SA adults believe increased physical activity and decreased consumption of sugary/fatty foods are the most important ways to influence health, and about a quarter believe drinking less alcohol and quitting smoking are the most important.
These four risk factors are the key determinants of many cancers, most heart disease, diabetes and chronic lung disease. Together, they drive the epidemic of chronic diseases.
Still, abstract knowledge about healthy behaviour does not necessarily equate to action. Nor does intent to change ensure an individual will do so. Nowhere is this clearer than in the case of smoking. Our survey showed that 80% of daily smokers seek to smoke less, and 58% said the pandemic has increased their desire to quit.
Yet, the pandemic has not led to a major reduction in smoking — because smokers intending to quit are impeded by a number of factors, including weak insight into the best tactics, poor access to cessation aids, and deep confusion regarding the value of safer nicotine products that can ease the quitting process.
For example, our poll in April found that 70% of respondents incorrectly believed nicotine is a major cause of cancer. Doctors’ roles in addressing many of these factors is inadequate, despite decades of international experience that shows when doctors lead with clear policies and personal example, governments listen, and smokers follow.
Smokers are affected by their mistrust of the government. The ban on legal sales of cigarettes in SA (as well ...
