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Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in smoking prevalence, consumption, initiation, and cessation between 2001 and 2008 in the Netherlands. Findings from a national population survey

Authors: Gera E Nagelhout, Dianne de Korte-de Boer, Anton E Kunst, Regina M van der Meer, Hein de Vries, Boukje M van Gelder, Marc C Willemsen

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Background

Widening of socioeconomic status (SES) inequalities in smoking prevalence has occurred in several Western countries from the mid 1970’s onwards. However, little is known about a widening of SES inequalities in smoking consumption, initiation and cessation.

Methods

Repeated cross-sectional population surveys from 2001 to 2008 (n ≈ 18,000 per year) were used to examine changes in smoking prevalence, smoking consumption (number of cigarettes per day), initiation ratios (ratio of ever smokers to all respondents), and quit ratios (ratio of former smokers to ever smokers) in the Netherlands. Education level and income level were used as indicators of SES and results were reported separately for men and women.

Results

Lower educated respondents were significantly more likely to be smokers, smoked more cigarettes per day, had higher initiation ratios, and had lower quit ratios than higher educated respondents. Income inequalities were smaller than educational inequalities and were not all significant, but were in the same direction as educational inequalities. Among women, educational inequalities widened significantly between 2001 and 2008 for smoking prevalence, smoking initiation, and smoking cessation. Among low educated women, smoking prevalence remained stable between 2001 and 2008 because both the initiation and quit ratio increased significantly. Among moderate and high educated women, smoking prevalence decreased significantly because initiation ratios remained constant, while quit ratios increased significantly. Among men, educational inequalities widened significantly between 2001 and 2008 for smoking consumption only.

Conclusions

While inequalities in smoking prevalence were stable among Dutch men, they increased among women, due to widening inequalities in both smoking cessation and initiation. Both components should be addressed in equity-oriented tobacco control policies.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/303/prepub

Title: Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in smoking prevalence, consumption, initiation, and cessation between 2001 and 2008 in the Netherlands. Findings from a national population survey
Authors: Gera E Nagelhout
Dianne de Korte-de Boer
Anton E Kunst
Regina M van der Meer
Hein de Vries
Boukje M van Gelder
Marc C Willemsen
Publication date: 01-12-2012
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-303

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in smoking prevalence, consumption, initiation, and cessation between 2001 and 2008 in the Netherlands. Findings from a national population survey

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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