The changes in smoking stigmatization during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the changes in smoking stigmatization in relation to an individual's smoking status after the COVID-19 outbreak. Study design: A 2 (before vs. after COVID-19) X 2 (smoking status: smoker vs. non-smoker) factorial design was developed. Methods: Two national surveys were conducted, one each before (between January 7th and 15th, 2020) and after (between January 26th and February 18th, 2021) the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea. A total of 7296 representative adult responses were finalized. Respondents were categorized into two groups: non-smokers and smokers. Smoking stigma was measured in two ways: social and personal. Results: In general, smoking stigmatization intensified after the COVID-19 outbreak. However, there was a discrepancy in responses based on smoking status-non-smokers exhibited a heightened negative stigma toward smokers, whereas smokers had generous perspectives about themselves. Conclusions: The health-oriented environment generated by the response to COVID-19 is leading to increased stigmatization of smokers who pose a risk to public health. However, the discrepancy between smokers and nonsmokers shows that social efforts are required to alter smokers' generous views about themselves and to persuade them to cease smoking.