[Epidemiology of smoking in the Wilaya population of Algeria]

A questionnaire survey was done in 1985 to determine the smoking habits of a representative sample of men and women in the Wilaya of Algiers. Among the men 77.1% used tobacco: 48.7% smoked cigarettes, 15.0% chewed tobacco, and 13.4% used both. There was no relationship between socioeconomic category and tobaccos consumption. Tobacco use among women was much lower (13.6%) and limited to cigarette smoking. The authors also examined relationships between smoking habits and functioned respiratory signs, and the reasons why former smokers stopped smoking.