The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: To describe some characteristics of smokers in Catalonia (stages of change, consumption, nicotine dependence) and to study the relation between them.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. Following a multi-stage design, a subsample of 1,376 people, between 18-74 years old, was obtained from the Health Survey of Catalonia (ESCA 2002). The variables studied were: smoking status, process of change, nicotine dependence, etc.

Results: Among daily smokers (404), 4,02%[IC95%:2,3-6,5%] are in preparation stage (want to quit in next month); 6,03%[3,9-8,8%] are in contemplation (between 1-6 months) and 89,95%[86,4-92,2%] are in precontemplation (not before 6 months); 23,5%[19,5-27,8%] smoke >20cig/d; 38,6%[34,1-43,7%] have moderate-high dependence (Fagerström >4). By sex, 6.2% of men and 1.6% of women declare to be "prepared". The 30% of men and 16.2% of women smoke >20cig/d. The 42,9% of men and 34,2% of women have moderate-high dependency. By age, the age group of 30-59 years-old is less ready to quit and presents greater consumption 76,2% smoke >20cig/d (p<0.01); dependence increases with age following a significant trend (p<0.05). By stages, 4,5% of those with low dependence and 3,3% of moderate-high are in preparation stage whereas 89,8% and 90,1% respectively are in precontemplation (p<0.05). By social class, smokers in class V shows more intention to quit 9,4% “prepared”.

Conclusions: High proportion of precomtemplators is observed. Women, those of 30-59 years-old and middle-high social class seem to be less ready to quit. It is relevant the small proportion of smokers prepared to quit. Clinical approach towards initial phases of the change process should be reinforced.