Pattern of cigarette smoking: intensity, cessation, and age of beginning: evidence from a cohort study in West of Iran

Abstract

Background Smoking is a social epidemic and one of the main risk factors for premature deaths and disabilities worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the Pattern of Cigarette Smoking: intensity, cessation, and age of the beginning. Methods Data collected from the recruitment phase of Ravansar (a Kurd region in western Iran) Non-Communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort study was analyzed by using Chi-square test, univariate and multivariate logistic regressions, Poisson regression, and linear regression. Results Totally 10,035 individuals (47.42% males) participated in the study. Mean age was lower for males (47.45 yr) than for females (48.36 yr). Prevalence of smoking was 20% (36.4% of males and 5.23% of females). Compared to female participants, males showed a 7-fold higher prevalence of smoking and started smoking about 4 years earlier. Being married, having a lower BMI, living in rural areas, and being exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) were predictors of higher smoking prevalence rates. Furthermore, current exposure to SHS, higher smoking intensity, later smoking initiation, male gender, younger age, lower education, and lower BMI were related to lower likelihood of stopping smoking. Heavy smokers began to smoke about 4 years earlier than casual smokers did. Finally, being divorced/ widow/ widower/ single and childhood exposure to SHS were found to increase the likelihood of becoming a smoker. Conclusions Based on present research results, health programs specific to smoking cessation should take socio-demographic factors, smoking history, and current smoking behavior into account.

Age at Smoking Onset and Risk of Heavy Cigarette Smoking Among Iranian Adult Male: An Application of Generalized Additive Model

“…The results of the present study also con rm that the onset of smoking occurs even at the age of over 50 years(Figure 1 right panel) except that the people who begin smoking at a younger age are more dependent on nicotine and their consumption will increase, whereas those who begin at an older age will have less intensity of consumption (Figure 2 left panel). This result is consistent with the study of Hamzeh et al (1). In this study, using the GAM model, in addition to age at smoking onset, we also assessed the nonlinear effect of age on smoking intensity (Figure 2, right panel).…”

“…For example, heavy smokers are more exposed to the side effects of smoking and it is also very di cult for them to quit smoking (9). Identifying the factors in uencing the intensity of smoking such as socio-demographic differences, type of smoking habit, age at smoking onset, and ability to quit smoking can provide the information needed to adopt and implement tobacco control policies (1). The age at smoking onset can signi cantly predict future smoking patterns and related health consequences (10).…”

Estimates of incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life years of lung cancer in Iran, 1990–2019: A systematic analysis from the global burden of disease study 2019

“…Smoking termination reduces the incidence of LC; however, even lessening the number of cigarettes smoked daily has a benefit 38 . Tobacco control policies in Iran have not been employed successfully 39 . The rate of using tobacco products is higher among men than women 39 .…”

“… 38 Tobacco control policies in Iran have not been employed successfully. 39 The rate of using tobacco products is higher among men than women. 39 The prevalence of smoking is about 12.5%, 24.4%, and 3.8% in all populations, males, and females in Iran, respectively.…”

“… 39 The rate of using tobacco products is higher among men than women. 39 The prevalence of smoking is about 12.5%, 24.4%, and 3.8% in all populations, males, and females in Iran, respectively. 13 , 40 The prevalence of cigarette smoking among Iranian women may be underestimated due to the culture that shows smoking as an unfavorable and stigma act for women and leads to women hide their smoking.…”