The average age of smoking onset in Germany--trends and correlates

Abstract

Objectives: Germany is rated among the countries with the highest prevalence of tobacco use in Europe. This paper analyzes whether the age of smoking onset has decreased in recent years.

Methods: Multivariable event data analyses were performed on the basis of the representative national cross-sectional study "Drug Affinity among Young People in the Federal Republic of Germany 2004". The survey involved a total net sample of 3032 individuals aged 12 to 25.

Results: Socioeconomic groups starting to smoke at significantly earlier age include those from the economically deprived areas in eastern Germany, low educational achievers and subjects in households with adult smokers.

Conclusions: The average age of smoking onset has decreased further in the 1978-1992 birth cohorts.