Prevalence of youth cigarette smoking and selected social factors in 25 European countries: findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey.
OBJECTIVE
To present Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data on the prevalence of cigarette smoking and selected social factors among students aged 13-15 years in 25 European countries.


METHODS
The GYTS is a school-based survey of students aged 13-15 years. The GYTS was conducted in 25 European countries (2002-2005) and produced representative data for each country.


RESULTS
In 25 European countries studied, 22% of boys and 18% of girls smoked cigarettes. In 17 of 25 countries, current cigarette smoking did not differ between boys and girls. Exposure to secondhand smoke is very high throughout the 25 countries. Exposure to pro-tobacco indirect advertising (having tobacco company logos on promotional items and being given free cigarettes) is frequent throughout the countries.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensified efforts to lessen harm caused by tobacco use among youth in 25 European countries included in this study are urgently needed. These countries need to develop and implement comprehensive tobacco control programs including public education campaigns, cessation programs, enforcement of existing measures, and related policy efforts. The WHO FCTC provides a useful framework for implementing such a comprehensive approach.
Baska
Tibor
T
Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sklabinská 26, 037 53 Martin, Slovakia. baska@jfmed.uniba.sk
Warren
Charles W
CW
Basková
Martina
M
Jones
Nathan R
NR
D000293:Adolescent; D000329:Advertising; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012931:Social Environment; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Prev Med. 2002 Feb;34(2):198-206
11817915
Health Psychol. 2001 May;20(3):186-95
11403216
Soz Praventivmed. 2006;51(2):110-6
18027789
Int J Public Health. 2008;53(3):160-4
19127889
Addict Behav. 2002 Sep-Oct;27(5):697-712
12201378
Lancet. 2006 Mar 4;367(9512):749-53
16517275
J Clin Oncol. 2001 Sep 15;19(18 Suppl):69S-73S
11560977
Int J Public Health. 2007;52(1):62-6
17966821
Int J Public Health. 2008;53(4):204-7
18716724
Tob Control. 2002 Sep;11(3):252-70
12198280
PLoS Med. 2006 Nov;3(11):e442
17132052
J Adolesc Health. 2002 Oct;31(4):336-42
12359379
Health Psychol. 1996 Sep;15(5):355-61
8891714
J Adolesc Health. 2005 Mar;36(3):162-9
15737770