Smoking frequency, prevalence and trends, and their socio-demographic associations in Alberta, Canada

To determine the numbers of smokers, smoking prevalence and trends, and to examine their socio-demographic associations in Alberta using data from three Canadian national health surveys undertaken between 2000 and 2005.

The three surveys collected self-reported health data from Canadians aged 12 years and older. The weighted number of smokers and the smoking prevalence by health region and by urban/rural status were determined. The socio-demographic associations of smoking in Alberta were examined using logistic regression analysis.

The numbers of smokers and the smoking prevalence were both higher among men than women, in middle-aged groups (20-39 and 40-59 years) than in younger (12-19 years) and older (> or = 60 years) groups, and among Canadian-born people than immigrants to Canada. The smoking prevalence tended to 1) increase with the increasing rurality of residence, 2) decrease over the timeframe examined, 3) be inversely proportional to educational level and 4) be inversely proportional to household income. The number of smokers was largest in urban areas and among those who reported the highest education and household income.

The new tobacco legislation being introduced in Alberta in 2009 may decrease the smoking prevalence in the province, but additional interventions in the regions with the largest numbers of smokers may help further reduce the smoking population and overall smoking prevalence in Alberta.