Determinants of heavy smoking: Results from the global adult tobacco survey in Poland (2009–2010)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of current analysis was to identify socio-demographic correlates of heavy smoking. Materials and Methods: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), a nationally representative household study was implemented in Poland between 2009 and 2010. We used data on representative sample of 1915 adults, age 25 years and older. The Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) for heavy smoking to the broad number of variables including age, age at smoking onset, education, occupational classification, living conditions, place of residence, place of residence at age about 14 years, awareness of smoking health consequences were tested in logistic regression model. Results: Among daily smokers the rate of heavy smokers was 63% in males and 45% in females (p < 0.001). The present study indicated that three characteristics: age, early age at smoking onset and lack of awareness of smoking health consequences were significantly associated with heavy smoking among both genders. Significantly higher risk of heavy smoking was observed among the 50-59 years of age population compared to the youngest group. The heavy smoking rate was highest among males who started smoking under age 14 years (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.4-6.7; p < 0.001) and females that started smoking at age 14-17 years (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5-3.5; p < 0.0001) compared to those who started smoking at age 21 years or older. Heavy smoking was significantly correlated to lack of awareness of adverse health consequences of smoking (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.03; p < 0.01 and OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0-2.2; p < 0.01 for men and women, respectively) compared to aware respondents. Conclusions: These outcomes should be taken into account while developing tobacco control measures. Among other things, educational interventions to increase knowledge of adverse tobacco health effects should be widely implemented.

Residential exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and its associates: Findings from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey in Poland

“…The total survey response rate amounted to 65.1% [10]. Questionnaires were administered at respondents' homes during face-to-face interviews [11]. Further details on the GATS methodology and the overall approach are available in previously published reports [12].…”

Complying with the smoking ban by students before and after introducing legislative intervention

“…Only a small percentage of Poles were penalized with fines for smoking in not designated areas or were a witness to such a situation: 8% male smokers, 9% female smokers, 8% non-smoking males and 4% non-smoking females, respectively [25]. According to other authors, heavy smokers are more likely to represent older age groups [26]. As the vast majority of the study population were people under 26, the level of addiction was assessed only by the number of cigarettes smoked per day.…”

Smoking at workplace – Legislation and health aspect of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke

“…Przeprowadzone w Polsce w latach 2009-2010 badanie przekrojowe -Globalny Sondaż Dotyczący Używania Tytoniu Przez Osoby Dorosłe (Global Adult Tobacco Survey -GATS) -wykazało, że wśród osób w wieku powyżej 15 lat co trzeci mężczyzna (33,5%) i co piąta kobieta (21%) palili papierosy codziennie (w grupie tej osoby silnie uzależnione od nikotyny stanowiły odpowiednio: 41,6% i 37,7%) [14][15][16][17]. Wśród osób czynnych zawodowo odsetek osób palących był nawet wyższy i wynosił wśród mężczyzn 37,3%, a wśród kobiet -28,2% [18].…”