THE PREVALENCE OF SMOKING IN AUSTRIA

Background. A population-based cross-sectional study was performed to assess smoking prevalence in Austria and to compare the results with d ata from 1986. Methods. A representative sample of Austrians (n = 2,40 0) who in 1995 were greater than or equal to 15 years of age was obtai ned. A total of 2,065 respondents were interviewed about their smoking habits. Results. Approximately 31% of the population age greater than or equal to 15 are regular cigarette smokers, 12% are former smokers, 6% smoke occasionally, and 51% have never smoked. Among males, the pr evalence of regular smoking increases with age and reaches its highest level between the ages of 25 and 34. The age distribution among femal e regular smokers shows a similar pattern, peaking in the same age gro up (35.7% smokers). No significant differences in smoking prevalence w ere found according to monthly household income, years of school, and number of inhabitants at place of residence. At the time of interview 45.7% of male and 20.9% of female regular smokers consumed > 20 cigare ttes per day. Compared with data from 1986 the prevalence of regular s mokers increased from 18.1 to 24.2% among females and from 35.5 to 38. 9% among males. Conclusions. Smoking prevalence increased in Austria b etween 1986 and 1995 by 33.7% among females and by 9.6% among males. P atterns of smoking among females (prevalence and cigarettes per day) a re approaching those of males. (C) 1998 Academic Press.