Katarzyna Połtyn-Zaradna1, Katarzyna Zatońska2, Alicja Basiak1, Barbara Sozańska3, Dagmara Gaweł-Dąbrowska4, Maria Wołyniec1, Andrzej Szuba4,5, Witold Zatoński5,6. 1. Department of Social Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Bujwida 44, 50-345, Wrocław, Poland. 2. Department of Social Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Bujwida 44, 50-345, Wrocław, Poland. katarzyna.zatonska@umed.wroc.pl. 3. 1st Department and Clinic of Paediatrics, Allergology and Cardiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Chałubińskiego 2a, 50-368, Wrocław, Poland. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, 4th Military Hospital in Wroclaw, Rudolfa Weigla 5, 50-981, Wrocław, Poland. 5. Department of Angiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Bartla 5, 51-618, Wrocław, Poland. 6. Health Promotion Foundation, Mszczonowska 51, 05-830, Nadarzyn, Poland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking is one of the most serious modern civilization threats. According to WHO identifying patterns of tobacco use is essential for implementing effective preventive policies. The aim of the paper was to assess changes in smoking patterns among the PURE study population over 6 years. METHODS: The study sample comprised of 1784 adult participants from PURE Poland study, who were assessed at baseline (2007-2010) and then at 6-year follow-up. Participants were classified into current smokers, ex-smokers and never smokers. Smoking patterns were analyzed according to sex, age/birth cohort, place of residence (urban vs rural setting), and education level. RESULTS: Overall, a significant decrease of 3.1% in current smokers was observed (from 20.0% in baseline to 16.9 at follow-up). However, 0.8% of never smokers and 6.2% of ex-smokers at baseline were classified as current smokers at 6-year follow-up. Despite overall decrease in percentage of current smokers in both rural and urban area, in fact significantly more ex-smokers from rural area became current smokers after 6 years. Living in the rural area was associated with nearly two-fold increase in current smoking, and almost two-fold decline in chances to quit smoking. The highest percentage of current smokers was observed in birth year cohort 1961-1979. CONCLUSION: Despite a small but significant decline in overall smoking rates, important differences in smoking and quitting patterns emerged between rural and urban areas, as well as sexes. A less favorable smoking patterns were observed among women, and rural populations, suggesting that these are important targets of future tobacco control interventions in Poland.
BACKGROUND:Tobacco smoking is one of the most serious modern civilization threats. According to WHO identifying patterns of tobacco use is essential for implementing effective preventive policies. The aim of the paper was to assess changes in smoking patterns among the PURE study population over 6 years. METHODS: The study sample comprised of 1784 adult participants from PURE Poland study, who were assessed at baseline (2007-2010) and then at 6-year follow-up. Participants were classified into current smokers, ex-smokers and never smokers. Smoking patterns were analyzed according to sex, age/birth cohort, place of residence (urban vs rural setting), and education level. RESULTS: Overall, a significant decrease of 3.1% in current smokers was observed (from 20.0% in baseline to 16.9 at follow-up). However, 0.8% of never smokers and 6.2% of ex-smokers at baseline were classified as current smokers at 6-year follow-up. Despite overall decrease in percentage of current smokers in both rural and urban area, in fact significantly more ex-smokers from rural area became current smokers after 6 years. Living in the rural area was associated with nearly two-fold increase in current smoking, and almost two-fold decline in chances to quit smoking. The highest percentage of current smokers was observed in birth year cohort 1961-1979. CONCLUSION: Despite a small but significant decline in overall smoking rates, important differences in smoking and quitting patterns emerged between rural and urban areas, as well as sexes. A less favorable smoking patterns were observed among women, and rural populations, suggesting that these are important targets of future tobacco control interventions in Poland.