Background:
Health monitoring is essential in disease prevention. Smokers are considered a high-risk population for smoking related morbidity and mortality; therefore, health monitoring is imperative. Aim of our study was to assess whether smokers are more proactive with their health than non-smokers.

Methods:
Data derive from the most recent Health Survey conducted by the Hellenic Statistical Authority in 2019, including 8,125 participants 15-years-old and above. Dataset was weighted to become representative of the Greek population 15-years-old and above. Chi-squared tests were used to assess differences between smokers and non-smokers. Analysis was performed in Stata 14.

Results:
Smoking prevalence in Greece was estimated to be 29%, higher in males than females (36% vs 22%, p<0.001). Differences were observed regarding body-mass index (p=0.0003); a higher proportion of smokers were overweight (43% vs 37%) while a higher proportion of non-smokers were obese (17% vs 21%). Vaccination against the flu virus in the past 2 years was lower in smokers than non-smokers (22% vs 31%, p<0.001). Health monitoring by a health professional was observed in a lower proportion in smokers than non-smokers; blood pressure (p<0.001), blood cholesterol (p<0.001) and blood glucose (p<0.001) measurements were observed in a lower frequency in smokers than non-smokers (54% vs 63%, 60% vs 65% and 59% vs 65% respectively).

Conclusions:
Smoking is associated with less health monitoring in Greece. More non-smokers monitor their health measurements and biomarkers compared to smokers. Campaigns tailored to increase smokers' awareness on health monitoring and disease prevention will aid early diagnosis and improve life expectancy.