Sven Schneider1, Sigrid M Mohnen, Svenja Pust. 1. Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Mannheim Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Germany. sven.schneider@medma.uni-heidelberg.de
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Germany is rated among the countries with the highest prevalence of tobacco use in Europe. This paper analyzes whether the age of smoking onset has decreased in recent years. METHODS: Multivariable event data analyses were performed on the basis of the representative national cross-sectional study "Drug Affinity among Young People in the Federal Republic of Germany 2004". The survey involved a total net sample of 3032 individuals aged 12 to 25. RESULTS: Socioeconomic groups starting to smoke at significantly earlier age include those from the economically deprived areas in eastern Germany, low educational achievers and subjects in households with adult smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The average age of smoking onset has decreased further in the 1978-1992 birth cohorts.
OBJECTIVES: Germany is rated among the countries with the highest prevalence of tobacco use in Europe. This paper analyzes whether the age of smoking onset has decreased in recent years. METHODS: Multivariable event data analyses were performed on the basis of the representative national cross-sectional study "Drug Affinity among Young People in the Federal Republic of Germany 2004". The survey involved a total net sample of 3032 individuals aged 12 to 25. RESULTS: Socioeconomic groups starting to smoke at significantly earlier age include those from the economically deprived areas in eastern Germany, low educational achievers and subjects in households with adult smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The average age of smoking onset has decreased further in the 1978-1992 birth cohorts.
Authors: Timo-Kolja Pförtner; Bart De Clercq; Michela Lenzi; Alessio Vieno; Katharina Rathmann; Irene Moor; Anne Hublet; Michal Molcho; Anton E Kunst; Matthias Richter Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2015-09-04 Impact factor: 3.380