Age of tobacco smoking initiation among Iranian adults based on National and Subnational data from the 2021 STEPS survey: Short title: Tobacco Smoking Onset Age in Iran

Ashkan Pourabhari Langroudi, Yosef Farzi, Golaleh Almasi, Zahra Shokri Varniab, Mohsen Abbasi-Kangevari, Negar Rezaei, Ali Golestani, Naser Ahmadi, Nazila Rezaei, Erfan Ghasemi, Sina Azadnajafabad, Maryam Nasserinejad, Mohammad-Mahdi Rashidi, Ameneh Kazemi, Moein Yoosefi, Elmira Foroutan Mehr, Rosa Haghshenas, Sahar Saeedi Moghaddam, Amirali Hajebi, Sahar Mohammadi Fateh, Mana Moghimi, Azadeh Momen Nia Rankohi, Massomeh Afsari, Shirin Djalalinia and Farshad Farzadfar

Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy from Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel)

Abstract: Tobacco smoking is a significant global public health challenge, responsible for 8 million deaths annually. This study aimed to analyze the age of smoking initiation and its sociodemographic determinants among Iranian adults, based on data from the 2021 STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey, to inform targeted public health interventions. The analysis of 27,874 adults revealed that the average initiation ages for cigarette and hookah smoking were 22.2 years and 24.9 years, respectively. Men typically began smoking earlier than women, with average ages of 21.9 years for males and 27.7 years for females. No significant differences were observed in smoking initiation ages between rural and urban areas. Education level and marital status were also influential, with the youngest initiators having 7–12 years of education and being single. This study highlights the significant roles of gender, education, and urban-rural differences in smoking initiation in Iran. The findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies conforming to the WHO’s MPOWER initiatives and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Increased investment in public health, focusing on education and preventive measures, is crucial to reduce early smoking initiation and its associated health risks, ultimately supporting broader health policy goals.

Keywords: Age of onset; Tobacco Smoking; Tobacco Use; Cigarette smoking; Smoking Water pipes; Iran (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:ifwkie:318018

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-86675-8

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