Kontakt 2011, 13(3):328-335 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2011.038

Smoking and alcohol consumption in Romany communities in the Czech and Slovak RepublicsHealth and Social Sciences - Original article

David Urban^*, Alena Kajanová

Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta, katedra sociální práce

Smoking and drinking alcohol belong to the most frequently occurring dependences and also to risk factors of the development of numerous diseases in the Czech, Slovak and Romany populations. According to the research results available (Nesvadbová et al., 2009; Davidová et al., 2010), in Romany communities, the occurrence of smoking and drinking alcohol is significant due to its determination by social and economic factors.
The target of the article presented here is mapping of smoking and alcohol consumption in selected Romany communities in the Czech and Slovak Republics.
The method of the research was based on its qualitatively-quantitative strategy with the use of semi-structured deep interviews and observations during the examination under field conditions. The target group consisted of multi-generation Romany families with different types of the social stratification (the lowest social class included respondents from socially excluded localities in the Czech Republic and East-Slovakian Romany settlements and the highest class was represented by members of the Romany elite). Total of 164 respondents in the Czech Republic and 149 respondents in the Slovak Republic were inquired.
The results show that in the Romany population, there is a significantly higher rate of smoking compared to the Czech and Slovak populations. Romany people also start smoking at earlier age, the first cigarette being usually offered by a relative. No attempts to reduce or stop smoking were observed, even in pregnancy or based on a medical recommendation. The alcohol consumption was found to be more frequent in Romany people in Slovakia (everyday consumption occurred there, which was not observed in the Czech Republic) and gender differences were recognized, most teetotallers or occasional consumers being among Romany women. In the quantitative rate of smoking or drinking alcohol, there was no difference in terms of the social stratification of respondents. There was, however, a qualitative difference: higher classes consumed more expensive brands of cigarettes and alcohol.

Keywords: Romany people; smoking; alcohol; gender; social and economic situation

Received: February 14, 2011; Accepted: August 24, 2011; Published: September 29, 2011  Show citation