title: Socioeconomic Disparities in Age of Initiation and Ever Tobacco Smoking: Findings from Romania.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Smoking initiation is considered the fundamental behaviour that determines the future health burden of tobacco smoking in a society. The aim of the study was to evaluate the socio-demographic factors associated with initiation of regular smoking among adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data source was the 2011 Global Adult Tobacco Survey Romania (GATS), which is a cross-sectional, nationally representative study. Multivariate logistic regression model was applied for relevant analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among males, the regular smoking initiation rate was significantly higher compared to females (52.4% vs. 18.5%; p<0.001). Mean age of smoking initiation was lower in men compared to women (18.4±4.8 vs. 21.5±6.8; p<0.001). Age in men, awareness of environmental tobacco smoke consequences and place of living for women as well as educational attainment and employment status in both genders were associated with ever regular smoking. Moreover, cohabitation with a smoker was associated with greater odds for initiating smoking among both genders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GATS revealed a significant but diverse role of socioeconomic factors in initiation of regular smoking among adult Romanians.
authors: Tobacco Control Department, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland.
authors: Dorota
authors: D
authors: Kaleta
authors: Department of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts, Boston, United States.
authors: Bukola
authors: B
authors: Usidame
authors: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland.
authors: Elżbieta
authors: E
authors: Dziankowska-Zaborszczyk
authors: Department of Work Physiology and Ergonomics, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Makowiec-Dąbrowska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: GATS; Romania; adults; smoking initiation; socioeconomic factors; tobacco control