L’évaluation du risque comme facteur influençant les opinions et comportements en lien avec le tabac et le cannabis
In the context of a pan-Canadian study pertaining to the normalization of cannabis and the stigmatization regarding tobacco, the main objective of this research was to understand the importance given in the evaluation of the risks in the understanding of the perceptions and behaviors as they relate to the aforementioned substances. Based on a mixed method, qualitative and quantitative, the process undertaken was 1) to describe the perceptions and opinions of respondents regarding their own use of cannabis and/or tobacco as well as the use of the same substances by the general public. We then 2) described how the respondents evaluate the risks as they relate to each substance.  Finally, knowing that the perception of the risks are intimately related to the behavior of an individual, we 3) sought to determine how the evaluation of risks affects the behaviors and opinions of the 50 study participants, all of whom are socially well adjusted men and women between the ages of 20 to 49, regarding tobacco and cannabis.  The cannabis smokers insisted on the importance of making a distinction between the way they use the substance versus an abusive use.  They ascertained that there was a degree of control regarding the use of cannabis.   The use of tobacco was perceived negatively for opposite reasons as it created a dependency to the smoker, an incapacity to control its use and the creation of a compulsive urge to smoke.  Given these optics, the risks related to use of cannabis were perceived by most as controllable with the exception of judgment from others which remained uncertain and which would be impossible to control.  The reaction of certain people within their surroundings was either unpredictable or negative which lead them to smoke mainly in private.  Finally, formal social control would very little influence on the respondents given the strong feeling they had that this did not apply to them.
Cannabis Cannabis Tobacco Use Normalization Stigmatization Risk Harm reduction Healthy lifestyle