Trends in tobacco product use in Turkey by gender and age-group between 2010 and 2016

Abstract

Aim and objective Turkey has a tobacco control law since 1996 and the law was amended to cover Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2008. We aimed to present trends in self-reported smoking in Turkey between 2010 and 2016 by gender and age-groups. Methods Turkey Health Survey is based on a multi-stage, stratified sample of the general population and includes data on self-reported health conditions including tobacco product use behaviour since 2010. Tobacco use was defined as daily or occasional use of tobacco product. Age group and gender-specific prevalence of tobacco use was presented. Results In 2010 tobacco product use in men was 31.7% and in women was 11.9% while in 2016 44.1% and 17.4% in both gender, respectively. Tobacco use prevalence was highest in 2014 in both genders (men: 47.6%, women: 18.1%) and lowest in 2010. In men except 2016 highest tobacco product use prevalence was in 25-34 age-group and was always over fifty percent. In 2016 highest prevalence was in 35-44 age-group and was 55.7%. In women highest tobacco use prevalence was among 35-44 age-group in all years and was about 25%. Age-group 75 and over has the lowest tobacco product use prevalence while in women between 2012 and 2014 prevalence of tobacco product was almost doubled (from 1.9% to 3.4%) and stayed nearly stable in 2016 (3.0%). Conclusions Tobacco product use prevalence is high in Turkey despite comprehensive tobacco control law. There are minor shifts in the smoking behaviour of different age-groups by survey year. Funding Erdem Erkoyun applied to Turkish Statistical Institute to do the analysis based on the institution’s regulations. By law, public institutions can obtain relevant data without additional charges.

Keywords

• tobacco use
• Turkey
• gender