Smoking recidivism among an age cohort of men in Zutphen (The Netherlands): 1960-1985.

Current smoking decreased and former smoking increased among a cohort of originally middle-aged men in Zutphen during the period 1960-1985. Cohort analyses revealed two distinct advantages in comparison with the usual cross-sectional analyses: inconsistent answers on never smoking could be eliminated, and former smokers resuming their habit could be traced. Recidivism of smoking increased strongly during the period 1977-1985. If recidivism of smoking affected younger cohorts as well, it could develop into an important health problem.