Original scientific paper

A study of the smoking habit in Yugoslavia

M. Mimica ; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
M. Šarić ; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
M. Malinar ; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

From a questionnaire study carried out in 1972 in a sample of population from six communities in the Socialist Republic of Croatia aged between 38 and 57 years the authors conclude that about 52 per cent of men and about 15 per cent of women of that age were regular smokers. About 20 per cent of the smoking habit among men, but among women a higher number of smok 20 cigarettes daily. With regard to occupation there was no difference in the smoking habit among men, but among women a higher number of smokers was found among clerical staff and intellectuals than among housewives, farmers or unskilled workers. As a rule heavier smokers had a better education. The body weight of smokers was usually lower than that of nonsmokers. Smokers also had a lower arterial blood pressure than nonsmokers. No statistically significant difference was found between smokers and nonsmokers as regards neurotic symptoms. More than 66 per cent of men smokers and more than 76 per cent of women smokers smoked oriental cigarettes of the best and the second best quality. A relatively small number of smokers, only about 6 per cent, answered that they would cease smoking instantly, while about 15 per cent promised to cease smoking »at a later time«. According to some other statistical indicators it seems that the tendency of the smoking habit to increase in the recent years has stopped. Further studies of this mass habit or rather an addiction are necessary in order to be able to alleviate its effects on the health of the individual and the entire population.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

162103

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/162103

Publication date:

18.12.1978.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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