Despite the health risks associated with smoking, some South Africans still believe the habit is acceptable, a research survey released on Wednesday has found.
A quarter of the 3 500 South African adults who participated in the survey felt that smoking was acceptable despite the medical evidence against it.
The survey, conducted by TNS Research Surveys, found that race, religion and gender influenced how people felt about smoking.
White and coloured men viewed the habit as acceptable, while black and Indian men were more disapproving of it. Overall, men were more likely to find smoking acceptable than women.
Religion played a role with 15% of Hindus agreeing that smoking was acceptable; 45% of Muslims and 26% of Christians held the same position.
The survey was conducted ahead of World Tobacco Day on Thursday May 31.
According to the Heart Foundation website, there are seven million smokers in South Africa, and by 2020, smoking will cause more deaths than HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, maternal mortality, car accidents, suicide and homicide combined. — Sapa