Smoking by older adults in central and southern Japan.
The study ascertained the smoking status among Japanese older adults. Persons aged 55-75 years residing in middle and southern Japan were recruited and interviewed face-to-face on their habitual tobacco consumption. Among the 576 (358 male and 218 female) participants from 10 prefectures, 18.4% were current smokers the great majority of whom (89%) smoked daily. Although the average cigarette consumption was similar between ex-smokers and current smokers, men had significantly higher consumption level than women in both categories (p < 0.05). The prevalence of current smoking was also significantly higher (p < 0.01) for older men (26.3%) than older women (5.5%). About 75% of male smokers and 25% of female smokers smoked on average at least one pack of cigarettes daily. It is alarming to find the higher prevalence of smoking among Japanese elderly men than other countries. The implementation of a coordinated tobacco control program targeting older adults is needed.
Hirayama
Fumi
F
School of Public Health and National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
Lee
Andy H
AH
Yamamoto
Sokatsu
S
Asai
Yuji
Y
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention