A study on related factors of hardcore smokers.

AIM: This study attempted to provide basic data for future smoking cessation policies and anti-smoking programs by analyzing related factors of hardcore smokers.

METHODS

This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive survey of the 2019 Community Health Survey conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. There were 11,817 smokers, and the propensity matching method was used based on factors related to hardcore smokers in previous studies.

RESULTS

Consequently, a higher probability to be included as hardcore smokers was observed in subjects who had a higher level of stress perception (odds ratio [OR] = 17.59, 95% CI [10.18, 30.38]), perceived their body shape as chubby (OR = 12.84, 95% CI [8.39, 19.66]) or obese (OR = 7.03, 95% CI [4.90, 10.09]), walking participation rate for more than 10 min a day (OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.03, 1.15]), and had a high degree of depression (OR = 1.43, 95% CI [1.37, 1.49]).

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to approach smoking-related policies separately between general and hardcore smokers. Finally, more effective smoking cessation policies must be found by identifying the characteristics of hardcore smokers.