The associations between the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body and smoking behavior change among Saudi smokers

INTRODUCTION: Recently, Saudi Arabia has extensively reformed its tobacco control policies and extended its smoking cessation services. A public outrage on social media among smokers was witnessed, especially after the implementation of plain cigarette packaging, which might have discredited the significant efforts of tobacco treatment services and tobacco control policies. However, it is not known how the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body among Saudi smokers might affect their smoking behavior. METHODS: Saudi tobacco smokers (n=511) were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. A cross-sectional survey was conducted comprising questions related to the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body (modified Food and Drug Administration Tobacco Credibility Scale), quit attempts, use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and motivation to change smoking behavior in the future. Logistic and linear regression models were used for the analysis. RESULTS: The public interest subscale of the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body, was positively associated with confidence in changing smoking behavior (β=0.204; 95% CI: 0.078–0.713; t=2.449, p=0.015) and readiness to change smoking behavior (β=0.237; 95% CI: 0.127–0.727; t=2.802, p=0.005). Moreover, the subscale of expertise was positively associated with confidence in changing smoking behavior (β=0.190; 95% CI: 0.006–0.697; t=1.999, p=0.046) and readiness to change smoking behavior (β=0.225; 95% CI: 0.063–0.710; t=2.352, p=0.019). However, public interest in the credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body was negatively associated with NRT use among smokers who tried to quit (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=0.691; 95% CI: 0.526–0.909). The credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body, however, was not associated with the last month’s or ever quit attempts. CONCLUSIONS: The credibility of the tobacco control regulatory body was positively associated with motivation to change smoking behavior but negatively associated with NRT use. Optimizing communication tools with the public is a potential avenue for improving smoking treatment and prevention in Saudi Arabia.