Prevalence of hardcore smoking in England, and associated attitudes and beliefs: cross sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the prevalence and characteristics of hardcore smokers in England.


METHODS
Cross sectional survey.


METHODS
Interview in respondents' household.


METHODS
7766 adult cigarette smokers.


METHODS
Hardcore smoking defined by four criteria (less than a day without cigarettes in the past five years; no attempt to quit in the past year; no desire to quit; no intention to quit), all of which had to be satisfied.


RESULTS
Some 16% of all smokers were categorised as hardcore. Hardcore smoking was associated with nicotine dependence, socioeconomic deprivation, and age, rising from 5% in young adults aged 16-24 to 30% in those aged >or= 65 years. Hardcore smokers displayed distinctive attitudes towards and beliefs about smoking. In particular they were likely to deny that smoking affected their health or would do so in the future. Prevalence of hardcore smoking was almost four times higher than in California.


CONCLUSIONS
Hardcore smoking presents a serious challenge to public health efforts to reduce the prevalence of smoking, but the proportion of hardcore smokers does not necessarily increase as overall prevalence in a population declines. More hardcore smokers could be persuaded to quit, but this will require interventions that are targeted to the particular needs and perceptions of both socially disadvantaged and older smokers.
Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT. martin.jarvis@ucl.ac.uk
Martin J
MJ
Jarvis
Jane
J
Wardle
Jo
J
Waller
Lesley
L
Owen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology