Smoking among immigrants in Norway: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Smoking rates differ significantly among immigrant populations based on their country of origin.
• Targeted interventions require detailed data on smoking prevalence within specific immigrant groups and their sociodemographic characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate smoking prevalence among immigrants from 12 countries, examining variations by country of birth and sociodemographic factors.
• To provide data to inform the development of effective smoking cessation interventions for diverse immigrant communities.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2016 Survey on Living Conditions among immigrants (N=3565) with at least two years of residence.
• Analyzed smoking status (daily and occasional) in relation to country of birth, sex, age, education, duration of residence, age at immigration, Norwegian language proficiency, and social support.

Main Results:

• Highest daily smoking rates observed in men from Turkey (36%), Poland (34%), and Vietnam (29%), and women from Turkey (22%), Bosnia-Herzegovina (18%), and Poland (17%).
• Sociodemographic factors influencing smoking varied by country of origin; however, higher education, employment, and immigration during youth were associated with lower smoking rates for several male groups.

Conclusions:

• Public health policies should target smoking cessation among immigrant men broadly, with specific focus on those from Turkey, Poland, and Vietnam.
• Interventions should also address smoking among women from Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Poland, where prevalence is notably high.