Attitudes Toward Smoking Behaviour Among Indonesian Smoking Kretek Seeking COVID-19 Vaccination

Abstract

The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of the attitudes of Indonesian smoking Kretek during the
COVID-19 pandemic, factors such as (1) participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning smoking
kretek during the pandemic; (2) social and economic factors influencing smokers’ behaviour during the
pandemic; and (3) changes in their smoking behaviour before and after the pandemic (if any).
Data were derived from 6000 vaccination registrants in the special region of Yogyakarta from August to
October 2021. They filled out the questionnaire voluntarily after they had received vaccination. Vaccination
was carried out at the Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Result of this study showed that smokers Kretek were more likely to believe that smoking cigarettes increases
the risk of getting COVID-19, and that smoking cigarettes increases the risk of getting complications due to the
virus. However, even for people who seek COVID-19 vaccination, COVID-19 factors did not significantly affect
smoking behaviour. The number of cigarettes consumed daily slightly increasing during the pandemic.
The present study has identified many key points in connection with attitudes and health risks perceptions of
smokers and non-smokers seeking COVID-19 vaccine in Indonesia during pandemic.