Tobacco Users' Communication Behaviors: A Comparative Study on University Male and Female Teachers and Students of Bangladesh

Tobacco use remains a significant public health issue in Bangladesh, a country with one of the highest rates of tobacco consumption in South Asia. While extensive studies have examined the epidemiology and health effects of tobacco use, comparatively little attention has been paid to the communication behaviors of tobacco users, particularly in academic settings. This study aims to explore and compare the communication behaviors of tobacco-using male and female university teachers and students in Bangladesh. Through a mixed-methods approach incorporating surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, this study investigates how gender, academic roles, and social environments shape the ways in which individuals talk about, justify, and negotiate their tobacco use. The findings reveal notable gender-based differences in self-disclosure, peer influence, communicative justifications, and coping strategies related to tobacco use. Male participants, both teachers and students, tend to normalize tobacco use through humor, bonding, and socio-cultural narratives, whereas female participants often conceal their usage due to stigma and rely on private or covert communication strategies. Teachers, irrespective of gender, exhibit a dual discourse—publicly aligning with institutional policies while privately negotiating their personal habits. The study contributes to the growing literature on gender and health communication by highlighting how socio-cultural and institutional contexts influence communication about tobacco use. Recommendations include the development of gender-sensitive communication strategies, integration of tobacco education into university curricula, and enhanced institutional support mechanisms to promote tobacco-free academic environments.