The anti-smoking climate in EU countries and Poland

Citation
K. Fagerstrom et al., The anti-smoking climate in EU countries and Poland, LUNG CANC, 32(1), 2001, pp. 1-5
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Oncology
Journal title
LUNG CANCER
ISSN journal
0169-5002 → ACNP
Volume
32
Issue
1
Year of publication
2001
Pages
1 - 5
Database
ISI
SICI code
0169-5002(200104)32:1<1:TACIEC>2.0.ZU;2-T
Abstract
Background: In the fall of 1998, 9095 smokers above 18 years, were intervie wed about their smoking behaviour and knowledge and attitudes relating to t he smoking. The survey (S) was conducted for the Cancer Commission of the E U and sponsored by SmithKline Beecham. An anti-smoking thermometer that is intended to assess the anti-smoking climate (ASC) in each EU country plus P oland was created. In doing so country owners of the S were asked to choose and rank the five questions in the S they thought best reflected the ASC. The five questions chosen were - smoking is a major cause of death and dise ase, want to stop smoking, governments should do more, ever made a serious quit attempt and smoke free areas should be provided. Method: the smokers c omprised a representative sample of smoking cigarette per day, vis-a-vis ag e, sex and rural or urban area. Face to face interviews were conducted usin g a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Poland had the most developed A SC, 368 points, followed closely by Sweden 358. In the bottom were Germany 266 and Austria 258. Large differences were noted on willingness to quit; f rom the 85% in Sweden to Italy 37%. Conclusion: the ASC varies considerably within EU and measures to reduce the death and disease from smoking should be tailored to the situation in each country. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd. All rights reserved.