Epidemiology of smoking in an Iranian population (Semnan province): A population-based study

Cigarette smoking is a known cause of systemic disorders such as bronchogenic carcinoma and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate prevalence of smoking in 30-70 year old men in Semnan province in Iran.

This survey was conducted in a sample population of 1695 men 30-70 years old, in October 2005 to February 2006 in both rural and urban areas of Semnan province. A multistage clustered sampling was performed with, first, 760 clusters (households) selected randomly using a systematic sampling technique. Then one or two more households in the neighborhood of each of the former households were also selected. Finally, in each household a 30-70 year old person was randomly selected and asked to complete a questionnaire.

The overall prevalence of current cigarette smoking in men 30-70 years old was 24.1% (95% confidence interval: 22.1-26.1%).18.3% of them were daily and 5.8% occasional smokers. 26.8% of rural and 23.0% city resistant adults were cigarette smokers (P=0.053). Prevalence of cigarette smoking in under 40, 40-49, 50-59 and ≥ 60 years were 21.1%, 32.6%, 25.1% and 11.9%, respectively (all, P<0.001). 19.7% of illiterates, 24.9% of primary, 30.8% of intermediate, 25.4% of high school and 11.8% of university level education were cigarette smokers(P<0.001). 46.6% of them before, and 39.2% between 21-30 years have started cigarette smoking. Mean (±SD) age for starting cigarette smoking was 24.1±8.0 years. Prevalence of cigarette smoking in Semnan, Damghan, Garmsar and Shahrood were 22.5, 23.2, 27.6 and 23.4% (P=0.554), respectively. Only 0.1% and 1.6% of them were pipe and tobacco smokers, respectively. 0.4% tobacco smoking was simultaneously with cigarette smoking. 15.2% non-cigarette smokers were passive smokers. Overall, 39.3% of Semnan province adults, aged 30-70 years, were active or passive cigarette smokers.

Findings showed that prevalence of cigarette smoking in Semnan province in adults aged 30-70 years is high. Therefore, a community-based multiple strategies are required to combat with increasing rate of cigarette smoking and its complications.