Community smoking behavior in Changqiao, Shanghai.

China has observed increasing tobacco use in the past decade. Only a few studies describing smoking behavior were reported at the community level in China. The present research aimed to obtain baseline data on tobacco use and factors that influence smoking behaviors in a local community in Shanghai, China. A total of 2100 residents in Changqiao, Shanghai, between ages 13 and 84 years were surveyed using a multistage proportional random sampling design. On the basis of that, a subsampling was conducted, and 1500 residents were randomly selected to avoid a cluster effect. There were 28.3% ever smokers (53.3% for men and 2.3% for women) and 23.5% current smokers (44.2% for men and 1.9% for women). Men ages 40 to 49 years smoked the most (more than 17 cigarettes per day on average). Age, education, and marital status were significant predictors of current smoking among men. Only 13.4% of current smokers were willing to quit. The prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure was 30.4% among nonsmokers. Smoking and secondhand smoking are serious problems in Changqiao, Shanghai. Comprehensive and intensive interventions should be implemented to motivate quitting and reduce secondhand smoke exposure.