Determinants of Smoking Intensity among Adult Male in Bangladesh: Evidence from Multiple Linear Regression Analysis

Authors

  • Mohammad Delower Hossain Action for Social Development, Bangladesh. Author
  • Forhad Hussain Department of Political Science, Gopalganj Science & Technology University, Bangladesh. Author
  • Muhammad Furkan Uddin Department of English, Rafiqul Islam Women Honours College, Bhairab, Kishorganj, Bangladesh. Author
  • Mohammad Sazzad Hossain Department of Statistics, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Author
  • Mahjabin Mim Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh. Author
  • Mashud Al Mamun Department of Management, Gouripur Government College, Bangladesh. Author
  • Mohammed Misbah Uddin Institute of Bangladesh Studies, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63539/isrn.2026002

Keywords:

Tobacco Use, Smoking Intensity, Price Elasticity, Bidi Smoking, Tobacco Control Policy, Bangladesh

Abstract

This research illustrates which factors influence the level of smoking among adult men in Bangladesh, depending on different social and ecological perspectives. Data were collected from 738 male smoker respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. The study areas covered: Industrial–Urban (Gazipur and Natore), Agro–Rural (Dinajpur, Patuakhali, and Sunamganj), and Eco–Fragile or Remote (Bagerhat and Bandarban). A multiple linear regression model was applied to find out the main factors related to daily tobacco consumption. The model was statistically significant (F = 4.603, p < 0.001) and accounted for nearly 10% of the variation in smoking intensity (Adjusted R² = 0.096). Among the tested variables, two stood out as significant predictors: the price per stick (β = –0.20, p < 0.001), suggesting that higher prices lead to reduced smoking, and the type of tobacco smoked (bidi or cigarette; β = 0.18, p < 0.001), which indicates greater consumption among bidi or cigarette users. Other socio-demographic and occupational characteristics did not show meaningful associations. Overall, the findings point to economic and product-related aspects as stronger drivers of smoking behavior than factors such as age or education. Therefore, policy initiatives should combine tax-based price increases with measures addressing specific tobacco types—for example, tighter regulation of low-cost bidis and cessation support for groups at higher risk. Emphasizing the intensity of smoking rather than only its prevalence may offer a more accurate understanding of nicotine dependency and help Bangladesh move closer to its goal of becoming a tobacco-free country by 2040.

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Author Biographies

  • Mohammad Delower Hossain, Action for Social Development, Bangladesh.

    Mohammad Delower Hossain is a public health and nutrition specialist with over 18 years of experience in community health, WASH, and nutrition program management in Bangladesh. He currently serves as Regional Coordinator at Action for Social Development (ASD), leading multi-district initiatives aligned with national health priorities. Previously, he held senior roles with United Purpose, WHH, ICCO Cooperation, and CARE Bangladesh. Mr. Hossain holds master’s degrees in Public Health and Social Science, with extensive training in nutrition, emergency response, and climate-resilient agriculture. His research focuses on tobacco use, maternal health, and nutrition behavior in vulnerable communities.

  • Forhad Hussain, Department of Political Science, Gopalganj Science & Technology University, Bangladesh.

    Forhad Hussain is a social science researcher and professional with interests in governance, development, and behavioral studies. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Political Science from Gopalganj Science and Technology University, where he also led several youth and debate organizations. His research explores topics such as the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 and monetary policy responses in Bangladesh, with published work in the Journal of Governance Security & Development. Beyond academia, Forhad has gained management and leadership experience in both public health and private sector roles, emphasizing communication and team coordination.

  • Muhammad Furkan Uddin, Department of English, Rafiqul Islam Women Honours College, Bhairab, Kishorganj, Bangladesh.

    Muhammad Furkan Uddin is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of English at Rafiqul Islam Women Honours College, Bhairab, Kishorganj, Bangladesh. He began his academic career in 2003 as a Lecturer in the same institution. Mr. Uddin holds a BA (Honors) and an MA in English from Islamic University, Kushtia, and earned a Master’s in Education from the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus in 2020 under College Education Development Project (CEDP) & The Ministry of Education of Bangladesh. His academic interests include English language teaching, educational development, and applied linguistics, with a focus on promoting inclusive and quality higher education for women.

  • Mohammad Sazzad Hossain, Department of Statistics, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh.

    Mohammad Sazzad Hossain is a statistician and public health researcher with over 18 years of experience in data analysis, monitoring, and evaluation. He serves as an Inspector (M&E) under the Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh. He also served as Research Officer in the Ministry of Education for secondary education sector improvement project, and is pursuing a PhD in Statistics and Data Science at Jahangirnagar University, focusing on statistical modeling for population health and behavioral outcomes. His expertise spans regression modeling, epidemiological data analysis, and health equity research. Mr. Hossain has contributed to ADB-funded national projects and co-authored studies on tobacco use and governance in maternal health.

  • Mahjabin Mim, Urban and Rural Planning Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh.

    Mahjabin Mim is a young researcher and Research Assistant with growing experience in social and development research. Since 2018, she has contributed to multiple academic and policy-oriented studies focusing on public health, maternal mortality, and urban livability. She has co-authored conference papers and supported research projects funded by institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Action for Social Development (ASD), Research Bay. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Urban and Rural Planning at Khulna University, Mahjabin is skilled in GIS, spatial visualization, and advanced statistical analysis, and is passionate about applying data-driven approaches to human development and social policy challenges.

  • Mashud Al Mamun, Department of Management, Gouripur Government College, Bangladesh.

    Mashud Al Mamun is an Assistant Professor of Management at Gouripur Government College, Mymensingh, and a first-class gazetted officer under the Bangladesh Civil Service (Education Cadre). He obtained BBA and MBA from the University of Dhaka and is currently pursuing a second masters in Masters in Public Affairs in IER (International Economic Relations) at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM)—an affiliated institute of University of Dhaka, where he is completing a thesis. His academic and professional interests include development economy, rural economy, public sector governance, and institutional effectiveness, with a focus on integrating policy research.

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Published

10-02-2026

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): January-April

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammad Delower Hossain, Forhad Hussain, Muhammad Furkan Uddin, Mohammad Sazzad Hossain, Mahjabin Mim, Mashud Al Mamun, Mohammed Misbah Uddin (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Hossain, M. D., Hussain, F., Uddin, M. F., Hossain, M. S., Mim, M., Mamun, M. A., & Uddin, M. M. (2026). Determinants of Smoking Intensity among Adult Male in Bangladesh: Evidence from Multiple Linear Regression Analysis. International Social Research Nexus (ISRN), 2(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.63539/isrn.2026002

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