Determinants of smoking status: cross-sectional data on smoking initiation and cessation

Background: Cigarette smoking is known to increase the risk of chronic disease. Improved understanding of factors that contribute to smoking initiation and cessation may help to underpin strategies that lead to smoking behavior change. Methods: Cross-sectional data obtained from 11 967 men and women, aged 20-65 years, were used to study associations with smoking initiation and smoking cessation within the general population. Information on smoking habits, socio-demographic factors and psychosocial factors were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analyses were undertaken by gender. Results: Adverse childhood experiences and personality characteristics (including extraversion, neuroticism and hostility) were found to be related to smoking initiation. Age, marital status and tobacco-related factors were consistently associated with smoking cessation. Older people, married persons and those who smoked more cigarettes per day had a higher likelihood of quitting, both for men and women. Conclusions: Smoking initiation was found to be associated with adverse childhood events and with measures of personality whereas smoking cessation was associated predominantly with socio-demographic and tobacco use-related factors.