International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article The Impact of COVID-19 on Smoking Behaviours and Support for Smoke-Free Zones in Saudi Arabia Mansour Tobaiqy 1,* , Andrew MacLure 2, Dennis Thomas 3 and Katie MacLure 4 1 Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, P.O. Box 45311, Jeddah 21512, Saudi Arabia 2 Independent Researcher, Aberdeen AB32 6RU, UK;
[email protected] 3 School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia;
[email protected] 4 Independent Research Consultant, Aberdeen AB32 6RU, UK;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: This article focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on smoking and smoking cessation be- haviours and support for smoke-free zones in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A pre-tested structured survey was distributed by email in October–November 2020 to students and staff at the University of Jed- dah. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics with summative content analysis of open text. Participants providing open text comments (n = 374/666; 56.4%) were non-smokers (n = 293; 78.3%), former smokers (n = 26; 7.0%) and current smokers (n = 55; 14.7%). Some had household members (n = 220; 58.8%) and friends who smoke (n = 198; 52.9%) plus daily exposure to secondhand smoke at home (n = 125; 33.4%). There was an awareness during COVID-19 of: smoking inside cafes/restaurants and other indoor and outdoor public places; exposure to warnings in the media both against and promoting smoking; widespread support for smoke-free zones.