Prevalence Of Heavy Smoking Research Articles

Evaluation of the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Colombia.

Evidence-based interventions recommended in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the World Health Organization (WHO FCTC) are subject to implementation factors that might affect their actual effectiveness. The Colombian law enacting key commitments from WHO's FCTC was signed in 2009. This study aims at evaluating the potential impact of the enactment and implementation of these WHO FCTC on four outcomes for tobacco consumption (last-year cigarette smoking prevalence, prevalence of heavy smokers, prevalence of lower-intensity smokers and monthly smoking incidence). We used data from the National Psychoactive Substances Consumption Survey (NPSCS) in 2008 (n = 29 164) and 2013 (n = 32 605), and assessed changes in these four outcomes WHO FCTC using propensity score matching (PSM). Propensity scores were obtained using key socio-demographic variables and by matching through a 'Kernel' estimation. Matching quality tests were performed. The common support for both survey samples was 60 793. Sub-analyses were conducted using a governance index to assess the effect of heterogeneous governance levels, proxying implementation, over the country. We found that cigarette year-prevalence and cigarette month-incidence decreased after matching around 8 and 1.2 percentage points between 2008 and 2013, respectively. Consumption might have shifted, at least partially, from heavy smoking towards lower-intensity smoking. Departments with a higher governance index showed larger reductions of tobacco use, possibly associated to a stronger WHO FCTC implementation. This study highlights the impact that the WHO FCTC had on tobacco consumption in a middle-income country and shows the importance of governance strength as a mediating mechanism for WHO FCTC impact. These results advance current knowledge on the effectiveness of WHO FCTC and shed light on the relevance of governance as a key factor in the WHO FCTC implementation.

Association of Current and Lifetime DSM-IV Drug use Disorder Diagnoses to 6-Month Changes in Smoking Behavior in Risky Drinking Smokers: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACTBackground: Alcohol and other drug use disorders co-occur with cigarette smoking and negatively impact cessation outcomes. Objectives: This study examined the differential effects of current and lifetime DSM-IV drug diagnoses on the 6-month smoking outcomes of 84 untreated heavy drinking smokers who were motivated to quit smoking in the next 6-months. Methods: Generalized estimating equations (GEE) assessed changes in nicotine dependence, readiness to quit smoking, and prevalence of heavy smoking from baseline to 6-months as a function of time, baseline drinking severity, and drug diagnosis. Results: GEE models showed that nicotine dependence and prevalence of heavy smoking decreased over 6-months, irrespective of drug diagnosis and baseline alcohol consumption. Several 3-way interactions were found, showing differences in the rate of change over time in readiness to quit smoking and prevalence of heavy smoking as a function of current versus lifetime drug diagnosis and higher versus lower of baseline alcohol consumption. Conclusions/Importance: Drug diagnoses are common in risky drinking smokers, and significantly impede changes in smoking behavior and motivation to quit. Treatment planning for smoking cessation should include a thorough assessment of current and past drug use behavior to determine the impact on readiness to quit and quit success. Mechanisms of change in smokers with multiple substance use diagnoses should be examined.

Trends in cigarette use, by serious psychological distress status in the United States, 1998–2013

ObjectivesThe study compared trends in current and heavy cigarette smoking between adults with and without serious psychological distress (SPD). MethodsThis study examined data from 480,024 adults aged 18years or older in the 1998–2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) public use files. SPD is defined as having a Kessler-6 score of 13 or higher in the past month. Trends in the prevalence of current smoking and heavy smoking for 2-year time periods were assessed among those with versus those without SPD using logistic regression; tests of interaction terms determined whether smoking trends differed by SPD status. ResultsThe prevalence of current smoking decreased over time among adults without SPD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.97, 95% CI=0.97–0.98), but remained stable among adults with SPD (AOR=1.01, 95% CI=0.99–1.03). Both groups had significant declines in heavy smoking over time; however, the rates of decline were greater among adults without versus with SPD (AOR=0.87, 95% CI=0.86–0.88 and AOR=0.91, 95% CI=0.88–0.94, respectively). ConclusionsThe prevalence of current smoking is not declining among adults with SPD, and the prevalence of heavy smoking is not declining as quickly among adults with SPD as compared with those without SPD. Smoking cessation efforts may need to target these populations and tailor programs accordingly.

Prevalence of heavy smokers in the year 2000 in the Province of Varese, Italy

Knowing the prevalence of heavy smokers (HS) by gender and age is a pre-requisite for bringing into effect public health measures against smoking-related diseases. Smoking prevalence data is available for the Italian Regions, however it is generally unknown for the Italian Provinces. In the year 2000 a survey of smoking prevalence was conducted by 47 general practitioners (GPs), by personal interview, in a large sample of the Varese Province population 45-74 years of age (28,034 subjects; 13,528 men, 14,506 women). Each surveyed subject was categorised either as ever HS (current/former smoker of at least 10 pack-years) or as non HS. The information on smoking habit collected by the GPs was anonymously pooled for analysis. Prevalence figures of smoking were tabulated by gender and by 5-year age-strata. In the population 45-74 years of age the percentage of ever HS overall was 22.3% (34.4% of men; 11.0% of women). The prevalence of ever HS in both sexes combined progressively decreased with advancing age, from 23.6% (45-49 year stratum) to 19.5% (70-74 year stratum). Current HS were 24.5% of men and 9.5% of women. The year 2000 survey on smoking habit, showing 22.3% prevalence of ever HS in age range 45-74 years, is the first conducted in the Varese Province using a large population sample. The data on heavy cigarette smoking presented in this paper, stratified by gender and age, may be used to monitor changes in the smoking habit and in the incidence of smoking-related illnesses at the provincial level.

Prevalence of Heavy Smoking in California and the United States, 1965-2007

Prevalence of Heavy Smoking in California and the United States, 1965-2007

Prevalence of Heavy Smoking in California and the United States, 1965-2007

The intensity of smoking, not just prevalence, is associated with future health consequences. To estimate smoking intensity patterns over time and by age within birth cohorts for California and the remaining United States. Two large population-based surveys with state estimates: National Health Interview Surveys, 1965-1994; and Current Population Survey Tobacco Supplements, 1992-2007. There were 139,176 total respondents for California and 1,662,353 for the remaining United States. Number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD), high-intensity smokers (≥20 CPD); moderate-intensity smokers (10-19 CPD); low-intensity smokers (0-9 CPD). In 1965, 23.2% of adults in California (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.6%-26.8%) and 22.9% of adults in the remaining United States (95% CI, 22.1%-23.6%) were high-intensity smokers, representing 56% of all smokers. By 2007, this prevalence was 2.6% (95% CI, 0.0%-5.6%) or 23% of smokers in California and 7.2% (95% CI, 6.4%-8.0%) or 40% of smokers in the remaining United States. Among individuals (US residents excluding California) born between 1920-1929, the prevalence of moderate/high-intensity smoking (≥10 CPD) was 40.5% (95% CI, 38.3%-42.7%) in 1965. Moderate/high-intensity smoking declined across successive birth cohorts, and for the 1970-1979 birth cohort, the highest rate of moderate/high-intensity smoking was 9.7% (95% CI, 7.7%-11.7%) in California and 18.3% (95% CI, 16.4%-20.2%) in the remaining United States. There was a marked decline in moderate/high-intensity smoking at older ages in all cohorts, but this was greater in California. By age 35 years, the prevalence of moderate/high-intensity smoking in the 1970-1979 birth cohort was 4.6% (95% CI, 3.0%-6.1%) in California and 13.5% (95% CI, 11.8%-15.1%) in the remaining United States. Between 1965 and 2007, the prevalence of high-intensity smoking decreased greatly in the United States. The greater decline in high-intensity smoking prevalence in California was related to reduced smoking initiation and a probable increase in smoking cessation.

Smoking status in Chinese cardiovascular physicians in 2008

To investigate the prevalence and hazard of smoking in Chinese cardiovascular physicians. A total of 4032 cardiovascular-certified physicians were recruited from 386 medical centers in all 31 provinces and municipalities in mainland China between June 1 2008 and August 31 2008. The prevalence of smoking in Chinese cardiovascular physicians was 15.2% (95% CI 14.1% - 16.3%), 609 (29.8%) (95% CI 27.8% - 31.8%) for men was much higher than 3 (0.2%) (95% CI 0.1% - 0.4%) for women (P < 0.01). The prevalence of heavy male smoking was 6.9% (95% CI 5.9% - 8.1%) and there was no heavy female smoker. Significant geographic differences were observed among male smokers. Higher smoking rates were seen in the northwest and southwest parts of China. There were significant differences in prevalence of male smoking between areas. The prevalence of history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia in male smoking group were all significantly higher than in male non-smoking group (all P < 0.01). The 10-year absolute risk and relative risk of coronary heart disease and ischemic cardiovascular disease estimated by Framingham model and Chinese model were all significantly higher in smoking group than in non smoking group (all P < 0.01). The prevalence of smoking in Chinese cardiovascular physicians is relatively high and smoking cessation should be targeted in this population.

Adult smoking trends in Mexico: an analysis of the Mexican National Addiction Surveys

OBJECTIVE: To describe and explain the recent trends of four smoking indicators in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparable data from four national probabilistic household surveys (1988-1992) were analyzed using statistical techniques for survey data. The analysis was restricted to persons aged 18 to 65 years. Changes in indicators compare 2002 to 1988. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of never smokers increased by 10% and increased more in men. The prevalence of daily smokers shows a 16% reduction in men and reductions are concentrated in persons 45 and older. The average number of cigarettes smoked daily shows a 31% decrease in men and no decrease in women. The prevalence of heavy smokers (one pack or more) is 60% higher in women in 2002. CONCLUSIONS: Mexico does not closely follow the WHO model for the evolving tobacco epidemic. Nevertheless, the tobacco epidemic is in an advanced stage, with a decreasing prevalence in men and a rising one in women and the young. The improvement in the smoking situation was mainly due to the country’s economic stagnation during the analyzed period and to public awareness of the dangers of tobacco exposure rather than to a sound control policy on the part of the state.

Diferències socials en el càncer de bufeta urinària a Catalunya

To assess the presence of socio-economic differences in bladder cancer in a heavily industrialised area of Catalonia, Spain and to evaluate risk factors associated with the presence of these differences. 218 cases and 344 population controls resident in the area of Vallès Occidental, Barcelona, were identified prospectively and interviewed during 1993-1995. Socio-economic level was evaluated through attained education and social class on the basis of the last and longest held occupation. Logistic regression was used to derive adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. There was no association between education and bladder cancer risk. Social class, evaluated on the basis of longest held job, was weakly related with bladder cancer, with the highest risk occurring in the highest social classes. This pattern was more pronounced when the analysis was done using the last occupation. Occupational exposures modified minimally these results. Among controls, the overall prevalence of smoking did not differ between social class but the prevalence of heavy-smokers (> 48.76 packs-year) was highest among subjects in social class V (35.5%) and lowest in social class I (10%). Adjusting for smoking enlarged social class differences. Similarly to the pattern in other European countries, no pronounced differences by social class were observed for bladder cancer in this area of Catalonia. The evaluation of social class patterns was crucially affected by the type of socioeconomic information examined. Measures of life-time experience should be preferred rather than socio-economic level at the time of the disease. Smoking seems to be one of the main mediators for the occurrence of bladder cancer differentials but other, yet unidentified risk factors, must be associated with bladder cancer risk, especially among the highest social classes.

Changes in risk factors for unfavorable pregnancy outcome among singletons over twenty years

To examine the change in the prevalence and relative effect of pre-pregnancy risk factors for low birthweight and/or stillbirth and/or neonatal mortality over a period of twenty years. Two prospectively collected one year birth cohorts. The two northernmost administrative districts of Finland. A birth cohort for 1966 comprising 11905 singleton births and a cohort for 1985-86 containing a further 9247. Risk factors for poor pregnancy outcome. In twenty years the prevalence of low birthweight infants among singletons decreased from 4.2% to 3.1% and that of stillbirths and neonatal deaths from 2.4% to 0.9%. The impact of single marital status decreased and while maternal age < 19 years was not an independent risk factor, the age > or = 35 years related more to poor pregnancy outcome. The proportion of multiparous women was halved but multiparity had a protective influence on pregnancy outcome meanwhile the impact of primiparity decreased markedly. In spite of more effective health education, the prevalence of heavy smokers was 4 times higher in the 1980s as compared with the 1960s, and its impact on adverse outcomes increased, with odds ratio (OR) 1.72 (confidence interval (CI) 1.14-2.61) in 1966 and OR 2.15 (CI 1.61-2.88) in 1985-86. The number of mothers with a previous low birthweight baby was halved but the impact of low birth weight was still great in the latter cohort (OR 2.47; CI 1.64-3.71). The impact of an earlier stillbirth and/or neonatal death increased significantly, with an OR 1.53 (CI 1.10-2.14) in 1966 and OR 2.95 (CI 1.81-4.81) in 1985-86, but the number of mothers concerned was halved from that in 1966. The prevalence of pregnancies with an adverse outcome decreased markedly, as did the prevalence of many of the risk factors. The proportion of > or = 35 years old parturients and of heavy smokers increased. The impact of primiparity decreased, while that of a previous outcome as assessed from pre-pregnancy factors has not improved in these twenty years, especially where primiparous parturients are concerned.

The Relationship between Sporting Activity and Smoking Habits in Young Adults

The authors investigated the relationship between sporting activity and smoking habits in young Italian men. One thousand, one hundred fifty-three men, age 20 years, completed a self-administered questionnaire on their smoking habits and sporting activity patterns. Five hundred sixty subjects (53%) were found to be smokers, with a high prevalence of heavy smokers (33.6%). Four hundred sixty-four (44%) of the examined subjects were sportsmen. In the group of young men not engaged in sports, the rate of smokers was significantly higher. Non-sportsmen started smoking earlier than sportsmen, and the prevalence of heavy smokers was significantly higher in the non-sportsmen group than in the sportsmen group. Finally, the young men not engaged in sports were more likely to be habitual smoke inhalers than sportsmen. These results suggest that sporting activity may indirectly influence smoking habits.

Aspects of statistical design for the community intervention trial for smoking cessation (COMMIT)

We present statistical considerations for the design of the Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation (COMMIT). One outcome measurement, the quit rate in randomly selected cohorts of smokers, is compared with another outcome measurement, the decrease in smoking prevalence, in terms of statistical efficiency and interpretability. The COMMIT study uses both types of outcome measurements. The merits of pair-matching the communities are considered, and sample size calculations take into account heterogeneity among pair-matched communities. In addition to significance tests based on the permutational (randomization) distribution, we also describe approaches for covariate adjustment. The COMMIT design includes 11 pair-matched communities, which should provide good power to detect a 10% or greater difference in quit rates between the intervention and control communities in cohorts of heavy smokers and in cohorts of light or moderate smokers. The power is only moderate to detect intervention effects on the decreases in overall smoking prevalence or in the prevalence of heavy smoking.

Assessment of some risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma: A case control study

A case-control study of risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was carried out in our Department from December 1980 to December 1983. One hundred and twenty consecutive inpatients with HCC were compared with 360 controls pair-matched by sex and age (within years). For each case three different controls were selected from inpatients at the same hospital: one patient with liver cirrhosis; one patient with solid tumor and one patient with chronic illness other than neoplasm or liver disease. We report here the results on alcohol consumption, smoking habit and hepatitis B virus infection. The risk factors investigated are distributed similarly in HCC and cirrhosis. The prevalence of alcohol abuse in HCC is similar to that in cirrhosis and is significantly higher than in other neoplastic or otherwise chronically ill patients (odds ratio 2 X 3 and 3 X 2 respectively). Thus alcohol abuse is probably a risk factor for HCC as a cause of cirrhosis. Smoking habits were similar among the various disease groups and independent of alcohol consumption. The prevalence of heavy smoking was comparable in cases and controls. HbsAg negative-HCC with an ultrasonographic pattern of 'diffuse' alteration was more frequent in heavy smokers.

Latent ischemic heart disease in sea captains.

For 110 apparently healthy Norwegian captains on ocean-going ships a near maximal bicycle exercise test revealed a pathological exercise electrocardiogram for 10.0%, while the corresponding results for a comparable group of Oslo men and a group of Norwegian sea pilots were 4.6 and 11.8%, respectively. The significant difference in prevalence between the captains and Oslo men could not be explained by differences in serum lipids, blood pressure, or a family history of coronary heart disease. The captains were taller and more physically fit than the Oslo men, but they were significantly heavier and had a more rapid age decline in physical performance capacity and a higher prevalence of heavy smokers. Ten of the 11 captains with a pathological exercise electrocardiogram were, or had been, heavy smokers (greater than or equal to 20 cigarettes/d). A high caloric intake in relation to caloric expenditure, heavy smoking, and poorly defined factors such as stress, irregular workhours, and varying climatic conditions are factors to be considered as explanations for these findings. The claim by captains that they have a higher risk than average for developing coronary heart disease was to some extent corroborated in the present study.

LUNG CANCER IN A FLUORSPAR MINING COMMUNITY. II. PREVALENCE OF RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND DISABILITY.

A survey of respiratory symptoms, lung function tests, and chest radiography was carried out among the fluorspar miners of St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, in whom the incidence of carcinoma of the lung (De Villiers and Windish, 1964) had previously been shown to be 25 times greater than for the rest of the province. The incidence of pneumoconiosis among the exposed population was low (1·93%) and the incidence of `chronic bronchitis9 comparable to that reported for miners elsewhere, enabling one to dismiss these as a relevant factor in the high incidence of carcinoma. The relevance of smoking is less easy to assess in these miners, among whom there are few non-smokers and many heavy smokers. Extrapolation from the data of Doll and Hill (1956) suggests, however, that the prevalence of heavy smoking among the miners cannot be the sole factor responsible for the higher incidence of carcinoma compared with the rest of Newfoundland, but it might well be a contributory one. It appears therefore that the main factor causing the high incidence of carcinoma among these miners was the high level of radioactivity in the air and water in the mines (De Villiers and Windish, 1964). The reduction in lung function tests appeared to be more closely related to the presence of bronchitis than to dust exposure, but the incidence of chronic bronchitis was apparently higher in men exposed for any length of time to dust risk than in men with insignificant exposure.