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Prevalence of hardcore smoking in England, and associated attitudes and beliefs: cross sectional study

Jarvis, MJ; Wardle, J; Waller, J; Owen, L; (2003) Prevalence of hardcore smoking in England, and associated attitudes and beliefs: cross sectional study. BRIT MED J , 326 (7398) 1061 - 1063. Green open access

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Abstract

Objective To quantify the prevalence and characteristics of hardcore smokers in England.Design Cross sectional survey.Setting Interview in respondents' household.Participants 7766 adult cigarette smokers.Main outcome measures Hardcore smoking defined by four criteria (less than a day without cigarettes in the past five years; no attempt to quit in the past year; no desire to quit; no intention to quit), all of which had to be satisfied.Results Some 16% of all smokers were categorised as hardcore. Hardcore smoking was associated with nicotine dependence, socioeconomic deprivation, and age, rising front 5% in young adults aged 16-24 to 30% in those aged greater than or equal to 65 years. Hardcore smokers displayed distinctive attitudes towards and beliefs about smoking. In particular they were likely to deny that smoking affected their health or would do so in the future. prevalence of hardcore smoking was almost four times higher than in California.Conclusion Hardcore smoking presents a serious challenge to public health efforts to reduce the prevalence of smoking, but the proportion of hardcore smokers does not necessarily increase as overall prevalence in a population declines. More hardcore smokers could be persuaded to quit, but this will require interventions that are targeted to the particular needs and perceptions of both socially disadvantaged mid older smokers.

Type: Article
Title: Prevalence of hardcore smoking in England, and associated attitudes and beliefs: cross sectional study
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Keywords: SMOKERS
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Epidemiology and Public Health
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1473
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