SMOKING PREVALENCE TRENDS IN CATALONIA (S PAIN), 1982-1994

BACKGROUND: Smoking prevalence trends from 1982 to 1994 of adult popul ation in Catalonia (Spain) are described. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four p opulation surveys have been carried out periodically using the same qu estionnaires and definitions for smoking status. Surveys in 1982, 1986 and 1990 have been implemented taking samples of Catalonia population through a multistage sampling with random stratified selection by pro vince and habitat. Individuals were chosen through a random route proc ess. In 1994, a survey with a complex probabilistic sample design with 8 geographical areas (health regions) and 2 basic units (towns and in dividuals) was implemented. RESULTS: Among the 15-64 years old adults, a decrease of 6.9% in smoking prevalence has been observed. The initi al prevalence in 1982 was 37.9% (CI 95%: 35.4; 40.3]; in 1994 this pre valence was 35.3% (CI 95%: 34.4; 36.2). In 1994, the prevalence of cur rent smokers in population over 14 years old was 30.6% (CI 95%: 29.8; 31.4). We have observed a significant decrease in smoking prevalence i n all age groups among male population (-20.6% for the 12-year period) whereas prevalence has increased among female (+28.0%) mainly among t hose between 25 and 54 years old. The main percentual decrease in smok ing prevalence has been observed among young people aged 15-24 years o ld for both genders, The proportion of former smokers has remained sta ble (11.4% in 1982, 12.9% in 1994) during the period studied. The prop ortion of former smokers increases with age among men over 25 years. C ONCLUSIONS: Smoking habit is still very prevalent in Catalonia, even h igher than in other Western European countries. In spite of the increa se among women, the significant declines of smoking prevalence among m en and youngsters (of both genders) could represent encouraging findin gs in order to pursue the efforts aimed at reducing the morbi-mortalit y burden of smoking in our society.