The Prevalence of Smoking in Turkey, the Average Amount Paid to Cigarette and Cigarette Package Barcode Availability and Affecting Factors

Aim Aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of smoking in Turkey, the average amount paid by the smoking people to a package of cigarette and cigarette package barcode availability. Method This national cross-sectional survey was conducted between March-June 2013. Multistage, stratified, cluster sampling method was used. One person from each household is chosen with Kish method. Aged 18 and older 9717 people participated to the survey. Statistical analysis, was conducted in accordance with the sampling techniques in SPSS complex samples module. In the analysis, percentage distribution, mean, standard error, chi-square, linear and logistic regression analyzes were conducted. The cases whose type one error value is below five percent were accepted as statistically significant. Results Of the participants 29.5% (95%GA: 27.8 to 31.2) stated that still smoking, the rate of smoking in men (43.4%) significantly higher than women (15.8%) (p < 0.001). Average daily use number of cigarettes is 15.7, average daily use number of cigarettes of men (17.4) significantly higher than women (11.4) (p < 0.001). The average amount paid to a pack of cigarettes is 2.12 €. The amount men paid to one cigarette packets (2.16 €) is significantly higher than amount paid by women (1.97 €)(p < 0.001). Twelve point one percent of the participants' cigarette packs do not have a barcode, in other words, it is seen that they consumed smuggled cigarettes. The amount paid to the cigarette pack with barcode (2.15 €), the amount paid to cigarette pack without barcode (1.08 €) found significantly higher (p < 0.001). In the eastern region, smuggled cigarettes (No Barcode) is found significantly higher than other regions (p < 0.001). Conclusion Although frequency of smoking is high in Turkey, it is clear that cigarette prices are lower compared to many countries and smuggled cigarette usage is existent. We consider that the program against tobacco should be empowered including the challenge towards smuggled cigarettes and low cigarette prices. Key messages Frequency of smoking is high in Turkey. Empowered including the challenge towards smuggled cigarettes and low cigarette prices.