Index of smokers fell 20% in six years in the country

According to the survey, 19.3% of the Brazilian population declared himself a smoker in the survey conducted in 2006. Last year, the index has fallen to 15.6%, equivalent to 19.4 million people. The decline among teenagers was even greater. In the analysis period, the percentage of minors between 14 and 18 years who smoke increased from 6.2% to 3.4%, reduction of 45%.
"We can point to the Federal and state laws that hampered the cigarette consumption as one of the reasons for this drop. But there is a world trend of decline in tobacco use and further information about the dependency that it causes among the younger generations, "said the psychiatrist Ana Cecília Marques, one of the responsible for the study.
Although consumption has fallen, the indicators of dependence among those who continue smoking have worsened. The average number of cigarettes consumed rose from 12.9 to 14.1 between 2006 and 2012. The percentage of users who smoke their first cigarette until five minutes after waking up from 17.9% to 25.3% in the period.
Despite the overall decline in cigarette use, the rate of smokers in the class has doubled. In 2006, 5.2% of that Group declared tobacco user. Last year, that number fell to 10.9%. In all other classes there was a reduction in consumption, but the class and continues to have the highest percentage of smokers: 22.9%.
The southern region of the country was the one that had the biggest fall in the index of smokers: 25.9% to 20.2% in the analysis period, but is still the region with the largest percentage of cigarette addicts.
Treatment. The survey shows that 90 percent of smokers would like to quit the habit, index greater than the registered in 2006, when 81% demonstrating this desire. However, only 17% of those who want to quit smoking have plans in this direction.
According to the study, only a small minority of smokers (7.3%) sought help to quit smoking. The specialized treatment on the public network is still little sought. Of the total number of people who sought help, only 7.8% day-care Center turned to alcohol and drugs (Caps). The majority (51.8%) claimed to have sought help with a family member.
Publicity. The majority of respondents supported the law that restricts advertising in points of sale, such as bakeries and restaurants. Among nonsmokers, the approval rating is 88%. Among smokers, 77 percent support the measure. Researchers interviewed 4,607 people in 149 Brazilian municipalities.