Smoking trends in Switzerland, 1992-2007: a time for optimism?
OBJECTIVE
To assess trends in smoking status according to gender, age and educational level in the adult Swiss population.


METHODS
Four national health interview surveys conducted between 1992 and 2007 in representative samples of the Swiss population.


RESULTS
The prevalence of current smokers increased between 1992 and 1997, decreasing thereafter. In 2007, the prevalence of current smokers (32.0% of men and 23.8% of women) was lower than in 1992 (38.4% and 26.7%, respectively). Whereas the prevalence of current + former smoking decreased from 64.5% in 1992 to 59.3% in 2007 among men, it was similar among women during the same period (44.0% in 1992 and 43.9% in 2007). The prevalence of current + former smokers decreased from 47.2% in 1992 to 46.3% in 2007 in the lower education group (no education + primary), from 54.8% to 52.9% in subjects with secondary level education, and from 55.4% to 48.7% in subjects with university level education. The prevalence of current smokers decreased in all age groups. Finally, the amount of cigarette equivalents smoked per day decreased, but the amount of non-cigarette tobacco (alone or in combination with cigarettes) increased for both sexes.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of smoking has been decreasing in the Swiss population, for both sexes and for most age groups and educational levels between 1992 and 2007. The health effects of the change in type of tobacco products consumed await further investigation.
Marques-Vidal
Pedro
P
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Bugnon, Lausanne 171005, Switzerland. pedro-manuel.marques-vidal@chuv.ch
Cerveira
João
J
Paccaud
Fred
F
Cornuz
Jacques
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012923:Social Class; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology