SMOKING RATE DECLINES IN BEIJING’S URBAN POPULATION

 

New Data From the World Congress of Cardiology

BEIJING, 19 JUNE 2010.  The smoking rate of Beijing urban residents has decreased slightly according to a survey of carried out in 2009 and presented today at the World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) Scientific Sessions in Beijing, China.  

Results from a survey carried out during July – August 2009 revealed that the smoking rate of urban and rural Beijing residents was 24.98 percent.  Smoking rates in the rural population were higher (29.73 per cent) compared to those among the urban population (15.41 per cent).  Moreover, smoking rates were higher among men (57.18 per cent) than women (7.43 per cent) and tended to increase with age in men and decrease with age in women.  In general, the smoking rate was higher in those with a lower educational level than those with a higher educational level.

Disease prevention education was cited as the reason to quit in 52.65 per cent of respondents, followed by morbidity (22.57 per cent) and family objection (18.14 per cent).

“As compared with the results of previous surveys, the smoking rate decreased slightly in the Beijing urban residents,” said Dr. Hu Dayi, Beijing University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China.  “There is still a great need to reduce the number of smokers not only in Beijing, but across China, and as disease prevention education appears to be the most effective way to stop smoking, this education should be strenuously intensified.”

A questionnaire survey of stratified cluster sampling was conducted among 7,421 permanent residents in four Beijing districts. Respondents were aged between 20 and 89 years of age.

About the World Congress of Cardiology
The World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Sessions is the official congress of the World Heart Federation and is held every two years. Through the Congress the World Heart Federation offers an international stage for the latest developments in science and public outreach in the field of cardiovascular health. The World Congress of Cardiology places emphasis on the complementary nature of science and public outreach and strives to spread the message that through individual, community and patient-care interventions, the growing epidemic of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented.  www.worldcardiocongress.org

About the World Heart Federation
The World Heart Federation is dedicated to leading the global fight against heart disease and stroke with a focus on low- and middle-income countries via a united community of more than 200 member organizations. With its members, the World Heart Federation works to build global commitment to addressing cardiovascular health at the policy level, generates and exchanges ideas, shares best practice, advances scientific knowledge and promotes knowledge transfer to tackle cardiovascular disease – the world’s number one killer. It is a growing membership organization that brings together the strength of medical societies and heart foundations from more than 100 countries. Through our collective efforts we can help people all over the world to lead longer and better heart-healthy lives. For more information, please visit www.worldheart.org

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