Smoking among women in Serbia

Tobacco smoking is the risk factor responsible for the largest burden according to Serbian burden of disease study. In European scene, Serbia is known as country with high prevalence of smoking. In 2006, 33,6% of the population were smokers (regular or occasional), but smoking habit is more prevalent among men (38,1%) than among women (29,9%).
Data on smoking habit of women in Serbia were obtained by self administered questionnaire for adults older than age of 20 in the National Health Survey, 2006. Out of 8065 women included in National Survey, on question „have you ever smoked in your life?“ answer was obtained for 6453 (80%) women. Current smokers were defined as those who reported having smoked >100 cigarettes during their lifetime and who currently smoke every day or some days, and there were 29,9% of such women in Serbia, with higher percentage of smokers in urban areas (63,8%) than in rural. According to quintiles of wellbeing, the richest and welth are more frequently smokers than others.
Between current smokers women, half tried to quit (15,2%), but only 0,5% asked for help of counselling services in healthcare institutions. Smoking prevalence was highest among those women with secondary (52.0%) and high (48.9%) school diploma, those divorced (61.3%), those without children (46.0%) and those women living in biger families (three or more family members). Also, smoking prevalence was higher between women who self-assessed their health status as very good and good. At the same time, self-reported chronic diseases were frequently presented between women smokers (74.9%) than non smokers.
The results of this study will provid basis for tobacco control policies sensitive to gender and tailored to this population group