Estimates of global and regional smoking prevalence in 1995, by age and sex

P. Jha, M.K. Ranson, S.N. Nguyen and D. Yach

American Journal of Public Health, 2002, vol. 92, issue 6, 1002-1006

Abstract: Objectives. We calculated regional and sex- and age-specific smoking prevalence estimates worldwide in 1995. Methods. Sex-specific smoking prevalence data from studies in 139 countries and age distribution data from 7 studies were analyzed. Results. Globally, 29% of persons aged 15 years or older were regular smokers in 1995. Four fifths of the world's 1.1 billion smokers lived in low- or middle-income countries. East Asian countries accounted for a disproportionately high percentage (38%) of the world's smokers. Males accounted for four fifths of all smokers, and prevalence among males and females was highest among those aged 30 to 49 years (34%). Conclusions. Future decades will see dramatic increases in tobacco-attributable deaths in low- and middle-income regions. Although much of this excess mortality can be prevented if smokers stop smoking, quitting remains rare in low- and middle-income countries.

Date: 2002
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2002:92:6:1002-1006_5

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