The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Assess prevalence and characteristics of cigarette smokers in each stage

Methods: A total of 4994 adult males were interviewed in Nile Delta rural areas. Ever smokers were identified and stages were defined as: Pre-contemplation: not thinking of quitting Contemplation: thinking of quitting with in 6 months Preparation: as contemplators, but have tried quitting with in the last year Action: those who quit smoking for less than 6 months Maintenance: those who quit smoking for more than 6 months

Results: Among 2086 ever smokers, 54.4% were Pre-contemplators, 30% contemplators, 4% in preparation, 2.5% in action, and 11% in the maintenance stage. Smokers in the maintenance stage were likely to be older and married than those in other stages (p<0.001). After marriage, Smoking pattern increased significantly in early stages, and declined in the preparation and contemplation stages more than other stages (p<0.001). Smokers in the action and maintenance stages were more likely to have non smoking friends (p<0.001) and to receive advice to quit smoking (P<0.05). The possibilities of receiving an advice from health care professional increased progressively through out the stages progression (p<0.001). Waterpipe smoking increased significantly through different stages of change by logistic regression controlling for marital status, age at survey, age at initiation (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The majority of surveyed smokers are in the early stages. Health care professional has an effective role to help smokers changing their behavior. Waterpipe is being used as a dangerous gateway to quit cigarette smoking. This should be emphasized in tobacco control activities.