Objective. To provide updated information on smoking prevalence in Italy, with a focus on the young. Method. A survey on smoking was conducted during March–April 2009 on a sample of 3213 individuals (1546 men and 1667 women) aged 15 years or over representative of the Italian population in terms of age, sex, geographic area, and socio-economic characteristics. Data from a simplified questionnaire were collected on an over-sample including 1010 young individuals, reaching a total of 1390 individuals aged 15-24 years (713 males and 677 females) Results. In 2009, 25.4% of Italians described themselves as current cigarette smokers. Compared to 2008, in 2009 there was a significant increase in smoking prevalence, overall (22.0% in 2008 vs 25.4% in 2009, p<0.01) and in both sexes (26.4% in 2008 vs 28.9% in 2009, p=0.03, among men; 17.9% in 2008 vs 22.3% in 2009, p<0.01, among women). The proportion of ever smokers did not change, whereas that of ex-smokers decreased overall (18% in 2008 vs 15% in 2009), in men (24% vs 19%) and women (13% vs 11%). Among the young, the male smoking prevalence steadily declined from 38% in 2001 to 29% over the last 4 years. Similarly, smoking prevalence in young females decreased from 30% in 2001 to 19% in 2008, but increased in 2009 (23%). Conclusion. For the first time after several decades, in 2009 we observed an increase in smoking prevalence in adult and young Italian population. This could be at least in part due to former smokers who relapsed, because of the psychosocial stress related to the economic crisis. If confirmed, urgent preventive measures are needed in order to avoid further smoking relapse.
Smoking in Italy 2008-2009: a rise in prevalence related to the economic crisis?
GHISLANDI, SIMONE;
2011
Abstract
Objective. To provide updated information on smoking prevalence in Italy, with a focus on the young. Method. A survey on smoking was conducted during March–April 2009 on a sample of 3213 individuals (1546 men and 1667 women) aged 15 years or over representative of the Italian population in terms of age, sex, geographic area, and socio-economic characteristics. Data from a simplified questionnaire were collected on an over-sample including 1010 young individuals, reaching a total of 1390 individuals aged 15-24 years (713 males and 677 females) Results. In 2009, 25.4% of Italians described themselves as current cigarette smokers. Compared to 2008, in 2009 there was a significant increase in smoking prevalence, overall (22.0% in 2008 vs 25.4% in 2009, p<0.01) and in both sexes (26.4% in 2008 vs 28.9% in 2009, p=0.03, among men; 17.9% in 2008 vs 22.3% in 2009, p<0.01, among women). The proportion of ever smokers did not change, whereas that of ex-smokers decreased overall (18% in 2008 vs 15% in 2009), in men (24% vs 19%) and women (13% vs 11%). Among the young, the male smoking prevalence steadily declined from 38% in 2001 to 29% over the last 4 years. Similarly, smoking prevalence in young females decreased from 30% in 2001 to 19% in 2008, but increased in 2009 (23%). Conclusion. For the first time after several decades, in 2009 we observed an increase in smoking prevalence in adult and young Italian population. This could be at least in part due to former smokers who relapsed, because of the psychosocial stress related to the economic crisis. If confirmed, urgent preventive measures are needed in order to avoid further smoking relapse.
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