title: [Trends in tobacco consumption in Tunisia].
abstract: Because tobacco-related diseases are a growing health problem, we assessed tobacco smoking in Tunisia since 1970 using different sources. The average consumption of tobacco calculated over the period of 10 years (1981-90) was 1493 g per person and per year; equivalent of 75 packets of cigarettes. Cigarettes are the most popular form of tobacco smoking. Cigarette smoking increased from 1981 to 1993 but since has decreased slightly. According to a national study of respiratory diseases conducted in 1996, the current prevalence of tobacco smoking is 30.4% for both sexes: around 52% for males and 6% for females. Average consumption is 17.7 cigarettes/day, irrespective of sex. For young people, the prevalence is 29.21%: 50% for males and 3.9% for females. Young people who attend school smoke less than those who do not (18.1% versus 38.4%). Most started smoking between 14 years and 18 years.
authors.affiliation: Institut national de Santé publique, Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fakhfakh
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ben Romdhane
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hsairi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Achour
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nacef
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000639:trends*; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014026:Nicotiana