PAST AND PRESENT SMOKING-BEHAVIOR AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH HEALTH-RELATED HABITS IN SELECTED ISRAELI WORKING POPULATIONS - THE CORDIS STUDY

Comprehensive surveys on the characteristics of smokers provide important data for the targeting and monitoring of smoking cessation programmes, and making international comparisons. Current information on this subject in Israel is very limited. During 1985-1987, the prevalence and correlates of cigarette smoking were examined in 5281 employees in Israeli industry, screened in the framework of the CORDIS study. The prevalence of smoking in men ranged from 44.7% in the age group 20-24 years to 28.0% in those aged 55-64. For women the prevalence ranged from 23.2% to 15.0% over the same age range. Ethnic differences were most marked in younger males with the highest prevalence in those of North African origin. Among females, the highest prevalence was among those of Western European origin. In most age groups, the highest proportion of exsmokers was found among those of Eastern European origin, except for older females where differences were not significant. Among males, educational differences were strong, with those of lower education smoking the most, whereas among females no significant differences were observed. For both sexes, past smokers were more prevalent in the highest education category. There was a cohort effect in declining age at starting smoking in both sexes and females tended to start smoking about 2 years older than males. Exsmokers tended to have been heavier smokers than current smokers, suggesting that heavy smokers may be more likely to quit than light smokers. Heavy smokers tended to exhibit poorer health-related behaviour than other smokers or nonsmokers, although there were few differences between light smokers and nonsmokers or past smokers. While there is evidence of a decline in smoking prevalence among employees in Israeli industry during the last few years mainly among light smokers, the correlates of smoking behaviour appear to have remained relatively constant. At least among men, those with low education should be targeted as the highest risk group for intervention which may be improved by integrating it in more general health education programmes.