Mapping tobacco control use through the Eurobarometer surveys: Available smoking-related indicators over time
Introduction Eurobarometer (EB) surveys are widely used as comparable and representative data across European Union Member States for monitoring tobacco and nicotine use and control measures. However, given the current rise of tobacco and nicotine new products, describing tobacco consumption pattern...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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European Publishing
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Tobacco Prevention and Cessation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Mapping-tobacco-control-use-through-the-Eurobarometer-surveys-Available-smoking-related,162987,0,2.html |
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| author | Ayaka Teshima Cristina Martinez Constantine I. Vardavas Filippos T. Filippidis Esteve Fernandez |
| author_facet | Ayaka Teshima Cristina Martinez Constantine I. Vardavas Filippos T. Filippidis Esteve Fernandez |
| author_sort | Ayaka Teshima |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction
Eurobarometer (EB) surveys are widely used as comparable and representative data across European Union Member States for monitoring tobacco and nicotine use and control measures. However, given the current rise of tobacco and nicotine new products, describing tobacco consumption patterns has become more complex. This study aimed to identify available tobacco- and nicotine-related indicators by systematically mapping the questions used in the EB over time.
Material and Methods
We obtained all the EB surveys (questionnaires and reports) from the official website since its inception. We extracted and compared tobacco-related and sociodemographic questions and responses employed across the years. Finally, we mapped the consistency of the indicators (frequency, variables, and wording) from the different EB editions (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2020).
Results
We observed multiple variations both in the available tobacco-related indicators and the wording of the questions across time. These variations included the definition of tobacco/smoking use, frequency of use, tobacco product types, duration of use, number of cigarettes per day, number of quit smoking attempts, initial age of smoking, time since quitting, and second-hand smoke exposure. Past and current smoking prevalence, number of pack-years, and quit ratio can also be derived from this information. While current smoking prevalence (referring to combustible tobacco) was consistently possible to estimate in every survey, other indicators were inconsistent from year to year.
Conclusions
Comparisons of smoking burden over time from the EB surveys are challenging. Thus, comparisons and interpretations should consider potential discrepancies. In addition, due to introducing new tobacco products into the market, re-evaluating the EB questionnaire should find the right balance between comparability with past surveys and the ability to best capture relevant information about new products. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:23:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1047646285b24256b48a9e7763cfe87c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2459-3087 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:23:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | European Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Tobacco Prevention and Cessation |
| spelling | doaj.art-1047646285b24256b48a9e7763cfe87c2024-01-31T10:28:11ZengEuropean PublishingTobacco Prevention and Cessation2459-30872023-04-019Supplement10.18332/tpc/162987162987Mapping tobacco control use through the Eurobarometer surveys: Available smoking-related indicators over timeAyaka Teshima0Cristina Martinez1Constantine I. Vardavas2Filippos T. Filippidis3Esteve Fernandez4Tobacco Control Unit, WHO collaborating Centre for Tobacco Control, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, SpainTobacco Control Unit, WHO collaborating Centre for Tobacco Control, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, SpainSchool of Medicine, University of Crete, GreeceDepartment of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United KingdomTobacco Control Unit, WHO collaborating Centre for Tobacco Control, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, SpainIntroduction Eurobarometer (EB) surveys are widely used as comparable and representative data across European Union Member States for monitoring tobacco and nicotine use and control measures. However, given the current rise of tobacco and nicotine new products, describing tobacco consumption patterns has become more complex. This study aimed to identify available tobacco- and nicotine-related indicators by systematically mapping the questions used in the EB over time. Material and Methods We obtained all the EB surveys (questionnaires and reports) from the official website since its inception. We extracted and compared tobacco-related and sociodemographic questions and responses employed across the years. Finally, we mapped the consistency of the indicators (frequency, variables, and wording) from the different EB editions (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2020). Results We observed multiple variations both in the available tobacco-related indicators and the wording of the questions across time. These variations included the definition of tobacco/smoking use, frequency of use, tobacco product types, duration of use, number of cigarettes per day, number of quit smoking attempts, initial age of smoking, time since quitting, and second-hand smoke exposure. Past and current smoking prevalence, number of pack-years, and quit ratio can also be derived from this information. While current smoking prevalence (referring to combustible tobacco) was consistently possible to estimate in every survey, other indicators were inconsistent from year to year. Conclusions Comparisons of smoking burden over time from the EB surveys are challenging. Thus, comparisons and interpretations should consider potential discrepancies. In addition, due to introducing new tobacco products into the market, re-evaluating the EB questionnaire should find the right balance between comparability with past surveys and the ability to best capture relevant information about new products.https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Mapping-tobacco-control-use-through-the-Eurobarometer-surveys-Available-smoking-related,162987,0,2.htmltobacco controleurobarometer surveysmoking-related indicators |
| spellingShingle | Ayaka Teshima Cristina Martinez Constantine I. Vardavas Filippos T. Filippidis Esteve Fernandez Mapping tobacco control use through the Eurobarometer surveys: Available smoking-related indicators over time Tobacco Prevention and Cessation tobacco control eurobarometer survey smoking-related indicators |
| title | Mapping tobacco control use through the Eurobarometer surveys: Available smoking-related indicators over time |
| title_full | Mapping tobacco control use through the Eurobarometer surveys: Available smoking-related indicators over time |
| title_fullStr | Mapping tobacco control use through the Eurobarometer surveys: Available smoking-related indicators over time |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mapping tobacco control use through the Eurobarometer surveys: Available smoking-related indicators over time |
| title_short | Mapping tobacco control use through the Eurobarometer surveys: Available smoking-related indicators over time |
| title_sort | mapping tobacco control use through the eurobarometer surveys available smoking related indicators over time |
| topic | tobacco control eurobarometer survey smoking-related indicators |
| url | https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Mapping-tobacco-control-use-through-the-Eurobarometer-surveys-Available-smoking-related,162987,0,2.html |
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