title: 5-Year trends in the intention to quit smoking amidst the economic crisis and after recently implemented tobacco control measures in Greece.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to explore the trends in the intention to quit smoking among adults in Greece between 2006 and 2011, a period characterized by financial instability and newly endorsed tobacco control initiatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  Trend analysis of 3 representative national and cross-sectional surveys, 'Hellas Health I' (2006), "Hellas Health III" (2010) and Hellas Health IV (2011).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since 2006, the intention to quit smoking has significantly increased among both genders (33.3% [in 2006] to 42.4% [in 2011], p=0.002), among respondents aged >54years (26.9% [in 2006] to 45.1% [in 2011], p=0.019) and among residents of rural areas (26.4% [in 2006] to 46.7% [in 2011], p=0.001). Both highest (32.1% [in 2006] to 49.4% [in 2011], p=0.036) and lowest (31.7% to 46.0%, p=0.021) socioeconomic (SE) strata showed an increase in the proportion of smokers who intend to quit. However, in 2011, quit attempts were more frequent (35.3%, p=0.009) in smokers of high socioeconomic status. Moreover, smoking prevalence has significantly decreased (43.1% [in 2006] to 38.1% [in 2011], p=0.023), mainly among men (52.4% to 45.7%, p=0.037), respondents of low socioeconomic status (38.9% to 29.4%, p=0.008) and residents of urban areas (45.2% to 37.9%, p=0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over the past 5years and possibly as a combined result of the implemented tobacco control policies and austerity measures, the intention to quit smoking has increased among all SE strata, however actual quit attempts were higher among those less disadvantaged. Further effort should be made to support quit attempts, especially among vulnerable populations.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Services Research, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 25 Alexandroupoleos Street, GR 11527, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: sschoretsaniti@ispm.gr.
authors.forename: Sotiria
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schoretsaniti
authors.forename: Filippos T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Filippidis
authors.forename: Constantine I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Vardavas
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dimitrakaki
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Behrakis
authors.forename: Gregory N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tountas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
keywords: Greece; HH1; HH2; HH3; HH4; Hellas Health I; Hellas Health II; Hellas Health III; Hellas Health IV; Quit intention; SE; Smoking prevalence; Social class; Trend; socioeconomic