Prevalence of tobacco use among the adult Lebanese population.
To determine the prevalence of smoking in Lebanon, 727 individuals aged > or = 19 years were randomly selected for study using Emile Roux and Fagerstrom questionnaires. Smokers were defined as those answering "yes" to the question, "Do you currently smoke?" A Fagerstrom score > or = 6 indicated strong nicotine addiction. The prevalence of smoking was 53.6%. The male/female ratio was 1.23, with 67.0% of smokers categorized as addicted. Failure to quit was related to withdrawal symptoms, mostly irritability (57%) and weight gain (20%). Recommendations are given for combating this high prevalence of tobacco use.
Baddoura
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R
Epidemiological Unit, Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Wehbeh-Chidiac
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D015430:Weight Gain