AIMS AND BACKGROUND: To update estimates of smoking prevalence in Italy to the year 2002. METHODS: Population-based, face-to-face survey conducted by the DOXA (the Italian Branch of the Gallup International Association) in March-April 2002 on 3,238 individuals aged 15 or over, representative of the whole Italian population. RESULTS: Overall, 26.6% of Italian adults were current cigarette smokers (31.1% of men, 22.3% of women); 19.9% of men and 10.4% of women smoked 15 or more cigarettes per day. Ex-smokers were 15.2% (21.9% of men, 9.0% of women). There was no appreciable difference with reference to geographic area or education in men, but more educated women were more frequently smokers (28%). Compared to 2001, reported smoking prevalence declined by 3.7% in men and 1.3% in women, and the fall was evident in various age groups, including the youngest one (15-24 years). However, part of the fall is likely due to increased underreporting, since these survey figures are appreciably underestimated as compared to sale data. Among ex-smokers, 84% had stopped without support. Among smokers, 37% had tried at least once to stop. Using the Fagerström questionnaire, 69.5% of smokers were classified as low or very low dependent, whereas only 20.0% of smokers were classified as high or very high dependent. Women, younger and elderly, as well as more educated smokers of both sexes tended to be less dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported smoking prevalence tends to decline in Italy, although the overall figure (26.6% of Italian adults) remains considerably higher than the USA and several Western European countries.
AIMS AND BACKGROUND: To update estimates of smoking prevalence in Italy to the year 2002. METHODS: Population-based, face-to-face survey conducted by the DOXA (the Italian Branch of the Gallup International Association) in March-April 2002 on 3,238 individuals aged 15 or over, representative of the whole Italian population. RESULTS: Overall, 26.6% of Italian adults were current cigarette smokers (31.1% of men, 22.3% of women); 19.9% of men and 10.4% of women smoked 15 or more cigarettes per day. Ex-smokers were 15.2% (21.9% of men, 9.0% of women). There was no appreciable difference with reference to geographic area or education in men, but more educated women were more frequently smokers (28%). Compared to 2001, reported smoking prevalence declined by 3.7% in men and 1.3% in women, and the fall was evident in various age groups, including the youngest one (15-24 years). However, part of the fall is likely due to increased underreporting, since these survey figures are appreciably underestimated as compared to sale data. Among ex-smokers, 84% had stopped without support. Among smokers, 37% had tried at least once to stop. Using the Fagerström questionnaire, 69.5% of smokers were classified as low or very low dependent, whereas only 20.0% of smokers were classified as high or very high dependent. Women, younger and elderly, as well as more educated smokers of both sexes tended to be less dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported smoking prevalence tends to decline in Italy, although the overall figure (26.6% of Italian adults) remains considerably higher than the USA and several Western European countries.
Authors: Catherine Metayer; Eleni Petridou; Juan Manuel Mejía Aranguré; Eve Roman; Joachim Schüz; Corrado Magnani; Ana Maria Mora; Beth A Mueller; Maria S Pombo de Oliveira; John D Dockerty; Kathryn McCauley; Tracy Lightfoot; Emmanouel Hatzipantelis; Jérémie Rudant; Janet Flores-Lujano; Peter Kaatsch; Lucia Miligi; Catharina Wesseling; David R Doody; Maria Moschovi; Laurent Orsi; Stefano Mattioli; Steve Selvin; Alice Y Kang; Jacqueline Clavel Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2016-08-03 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: G Veronesi; P Maisonneuve; L Spaggiari; C Rampinelli; G Pelosi; L Preda; F Petrella; A Borri; M Casiraghi; R Bertolotti; N Rotmensz; M Bellomi Journal: Ecancermedicalscience Date: 2010-05-13
Authors: E Pira; C Pelucchi; L Buffoni; A Palmas; M Turbiglio; E Negri; P G Piolatto; C La Vecchia Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2005-02-14 Impact factor: 7.640