[Smoking behavior in Germany].

In a representative sample, 7,124 men and women in the age of 18 to 79 years were interviewed regarding their smoking habits. In 1998, one third of the participants, 37% of the men and 28% of the women, were smokers. The highest proportion of smokers was found in the youngest age group of 18 to 24 years--49% males and 44% females. The mean cigarette consumption of male smokers was 20 cigarettes per day, that for female smokers was 16. About one third of the smokers have tried to stop smoking at least once during the past year. 86% of the men and 80% of the women started their habit under the age of 20. Compared to a previous survey in 1990/92, the proportion of male smokers dropped by 3% in West Germany, whereas in East Germany the figure remained the same. The proportion of female smokers rose by 1% in West Germany and by 8% in East Germany (from 21% to 29%). The latter change means an increase of the smoking prevalence by 42% in East German women during the short period of only 7 years.