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Abstract

Smoking constitutes a significant issue in Indonesia, particularly among low-income forest farmers. Cigarettes are the second-highest household expenditure after rice, potentially comprising almost 40% of total annual income. In 2022, the prevalence of smokers aged 15 years and older was recorded at 28.26%, with West Nusa Tenggara ranking second (26.59%). This situation exacerbates poverty and reduces the quality of human resources. The study was conducted in 2023 in Ciamis Regency, Tasikmalaya (West Java), and Sumbawa (West Nusa Tenggara), areas with high cigarette consumption. The aim was to analyze the influence of demographic factors (income, age, and education) on smoking behavior at light, moderate, and heavy levels, and their implications for control strategies. This study introduces a novel categorization of three smoking levels and assesses the impact of demographic factors using quantile linear regression (QLR) to derive more effective solutions. A total of 90 farming households were selected through purposive sampling. The results showed that income significantly influenced all smoking levels (p < 0.01). Age was positively associated with cigarette consumption, especially at high levels (p = 0.049). Education generally had no effect, except in Labuhanbadas, where higher education reduced family cigarette spending because highly educated family members tended to live outside the village. Average daily consumption was recorded at nine cigarettes (Cukangkawung), 24 cigarettes (Labuhanbadas), and up to 44 cigarettes (Sukaharja). Women play a significant role in controlling cigarette spending because they are responsible for the family’s food needs. The smoking behavior of farmers is predominantly affected by income and age, with education playing a role only in particular contexts. Smoking control policies must account for economic, social, and cultural factors, engage partners, and implement income diversification strategies.

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