Smoking patterns in a community sample of Portuguese adults, 1999-2000

Southern European cultural specificities might influence the dynamic of the tobacco epidemic. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the distribution and determinants of smoking patterns in an urban Portuguese population.

We evaluated 1,644 community dwellers (1,015 women, 629 men) using a structured questionnaire, comprising social, behavioral, and clinical information. Number of cigarettes smoked, age at smoking initiation, and quitting were self-reported. Proportions were age adjusted for the European population and the magnitude of associations computed using logistic regression.

Smoking was more common in younger, unemployed, normal weighted, and less physically active men. Female smoking prevalence was higher in younger, more educated, and overweight. Compared to females, males had a higher prevalence of smoking (35.0%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 31.3-38.8 vs. 17.6%; 95% CI 15.4-20.1; P<0.001), a higher mean number of cigarettes smoked (21.2; 95% CI 12.4-15.0 vs. 14.1; 95% CI 19.6-22.6; P<0.001), and a higher proportion began smoking before 18 years of age (60.1%; 95% CI 55.5-64.5 vs. 42.6%; 95% CI 36.9-48.5; P<0.001).

Among Portuguese, adults smoking remains more frequent in men but the prevalence is reaching a disturbing proportion in women, especially young and more educated. This smoking pattern places Portugal in stage 2 of smoking epidemic.