[Cigarette smoking among economically active population]

Tobacco smoking is one of the major risk factors for chronic diseases and results in huge economic and social costs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of smoking. Moreover, we evaluated the association between selected socioeconomic factors and tobacco smoking among economically active individuals.

The study population covered 2254 economically active men and 1666 women. Data were derived from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS).

About 37.3% of men and 28.2% of women smoke regularly. Daily smoking was significantly associated with low level of education in men (primary vs. high education OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.9-5.3; p < 0.001; vocational vs. high education: OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.5-3.0; p < 0.001) and women (primary vs. high education OR = 2.8, CI: 1.4-5.5; p < 0.01; vocational vs. high education: OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-2.9; p < 0.01). Daily smoking was significantly associated with age of women (40-49 years vs. 20-29 years OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.1-2.44; p < 0.01), lack of awareness of health effects of smoking in both genders (men unaware vs. aware: OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.8-4.6; p < 0.01 and women unaware vs. aware: OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.5-5.7; p < 0.01). Smoking was associated with lack of complete smoking bans at workplaces of respondents.

Comprehensive interventions are needed to reduce the prevalence of smoking among economically active individuals.