title: Tobacco Smoking in Islands of the Pacific Region, 2001-2013.
abstract: We provide an overview of tobacco smoking patterns in Pacific island countries and territories to facilitate monitoring progress toward the goal of a Tobacco-Free Pacific by 2025. We examined data from 4 surveys conducted in the region between 2001 and 2013, including the STEPwise approach to surveillance for adults (25-64 years); the Global School-Based Student Health Survey and the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (students 13-15 years); and the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (grade 9-12 students) in United States affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPIs). Adult smoking prevalence ranged from less than 5% of women in Vanuatu to almost 75% of men in Kiribati. Smoking prevalence among students (13-15 years) ranged between 5.6% and 52.1%. There were declines in smoking among youths in many USAPIs. To achieve the tobacco-free goal and reduce disease burden, accelerated action is needed to align national legislation with international agreements and build capacity for tobacco control at all levels.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, BP D5 98848, Noumea, New Caledonia. Email: tara.kessaram@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kessaram
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Jeanie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Girin
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vivili
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea, New Caledonia.
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult