Smoking predictors among economically active individuals.

OBJECTIVES The study objective was to evaluate an association between selected work-related and socio-economic factors and tobacco smoking among economically active individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted among randomly selected residents of the city of Łódź (n = 598) aged 25-64 years. The smoking status was determined based on questionnaire data. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the factors related to the smoking habit. RESULTS Multifactorial logistic regression analysis indicated that low level of education, lack of recreational physical activity and medium/heavy physical work were significant determinants of smoking. CONCLUSIONS Prevention programs aimed at improving health-related habits and behaviors should be addressed to all economically active individuals, particularly to those who perform medium and heavy physical work. An antismoking intervention should be tailored to individual needs, taking into account the educational level.