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Are smoking effects on health the same for all smokers?
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Institute of Economic Sciences, Belgrade, Serbia
Publication date: 2024-10-17
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2024;10(Supplement 1):A4
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Background:
Smoking is one of the major public health concerns in Serbia, a
country with a high smoking prevalence rate. Previous studies
have shown that the impact of smoking on health can vary based
on multiple factors related to smokers’ characteristics.
Objectives:
In this study, we aimed to investigate possible health disparities within the smoking population, accounting for their smoking
habits, chronic conditions, and sociodemographic factors. In
addition, we intended to examine the effect of smoking intensity
while controlling for other factors.
Methods:
The survey was conducted using the CAWI method on a quotarepresentative
sample of the Serbian general population aged
between 18 and 60 (N = 1,005). The questionnaire comprised
items related to sociodemographic and smoking variables and
several variables related to health, including weight and height,
alcohol consumption, and a large set of health issues and chronic
condition indicators.
Results:
For this purpose, we analyzed only the subsample of smokers (N
= 387; 50.4% females). At the baseline level of analysis, the results
revealed that females and people with any chronic condition tend
to have higher levels of health issues. Further on, we analyzed
the effects of smoking intensity on health, controlling for sex,
age, region and type of residence, body mass index, alcohol
consumption frequency, chronic conditions, and exposure to
tobacco and HTP smoke. The results indicated a higher level
of health issues in individuals smoking over one pack per day
compared to those who smoke less than one pack, although the
effect size was small (partial η2 = 0.025). There was no significant
interaction between sex, the presence of chronic conditions, and
smoking frequency.
Conclusions:
It can be concluded that females, people with any chronic
condition, and heavy smokers face a greater risk of worsened
health resulting from tobacco use.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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