Factors Associated with Smoking Initiation and Continuation in Isfahan

Background and purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with smoking initiation and continuation in Isfahan. Material and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted based on Isfahan Healthy Heart Program. To calculate the crude and adjusted odds ratios uni- and multi-variable logistic regressions were used. The group with lowest rate of smoking was considered as the base group and Odds Ratio with 95% confidence interval was reported. Results: The study population included 3164 individuals, of whom 12.3% (male 23.3%, female 01.4%) were current smokers. The odds ratio of smoking was 8.53 (CI: 4.37-16.57) in men, 1.17 (CI: 0.8- 1.71) in rural areas and 4.52 (CI: 1.22-16.7) in illiterate people. Among the subjects the relative risk of smoking was seen higher in those aged 19-24 and 25-34 years of old. Home was found as the most common place for smoking (32.64%) and the most frequent condition for smoking was when the subjects were in angry moods (36.70%). The main cause of initiation or continuation of smoking was enjoyment (45.65%). Conclusion: Most consumers of cigarettes were men, individuals with low educational backgrounds, self-employed or unemployed and rural populations. Therefore, more training programs are needed to enhance the knowledge and attitude in these people and conducting efficient smoking cessation programs could be of great benefit in reducing the rate of smoking.