Abstract
Background Tobacco related cancers are a substantial public health problem, taking a leading position in morbidity and mortality. For more than 10 years, Kazakhstan has implemented a tobacco control policy. The aim of this study was to examine factors that influenced women´s attitudes in relation to the smokefree policy as cancer prevention measures. Methods The results of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) and interviews of 637 women who received cancer prevention consultations in oncological dispensaries (2015-2016) were used. GATS was conducted in Kazakhstan in 2014 that surveyed 4425 men and women aged 15 years or older. Logistic regression models were used to obtain odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results Most women, regardless of the history of smoking, objected to smoking in public transport, closed shopping centers, hospitals and other premises. Despite the smoking ban in public places, 11.5% of non-smoking women were exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS), mainly (70.9%) in nightclubs and bars, 17,2-22,3% - in public transport and universities, 8,8% - in hospitals. Only a third of women who are exposed to SHS have objected to the ban violation. A low (47% and lower) awareness of women about the causal relationship of smoking and cancer of other localizations, except lung cancer was noted. During visiting to doctor, only 41.1% of respondents were asked about smoking history and 27.9% received advise to quit smoking. Conclusions In general, there is a very high support for the national smokefree law that covers public places and transport (84.8%). Most current smokers among women (67.4%) are ready to quit when they will receive relevant information and help from medical professionals. For this it is necessary develop and implement the women and health professionals addressed cessation programs. It is important to motivate health professionals to stop smoking and to increase population awareness on cancer prevention.