[Social determinants of tobacco consumption among adults in Germany]

Findings on social differences in smoking behavior are an essential prerequisite for target-group-specific tobacco prevention. Using the available data on the adult population in Germany, it can be shown that people with little education, low occupational status, and low income are more likely to smoke. Smoking rates are also high among unemployed and single-parent men and women and in certain immigrant groups. A comparison between the federal states points to a strong correlation between smoking rate and poverty. It can be shown that the social differences in smoking behavior grew, especially among women, during the period from 1998 to 2006. Thus, the results suggest that the reduction of social disparities in tobacco consumption should also be a measure of the success of tobacco prevention.