Post-Communism and Female Tobacco Consumption in the Former Soviet States.

Existing studies emphasise the important roles played by negative health lifestyle practices in the health situations of the countries constituting the former Soviet Union, and the role of smoking has attracted a considerable body of research. This article analyses female smoking behaviour in eight former Soviet states and seeks to more closely identify the roles of psychological distress and political ideology in relation to tobacco use in these countries. Results suggest that, in these populations, distress and ideology are associated with smoking practices in specific, observable, and sometimes unexpected ways. Findings are discussed within the context of changing gender constructions and dynamics following the post-communist transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Europe-Asia Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)