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Age of Tobacco Smoking Initiation Among Iranian Adults Based on National and Subnational Data From the 2021 Steps Survey: Short Title: Tobacco Smoking Onset Age in Iran Publisher Pubmed



Pourabhari Langroudi A1 ; Farzi Y1 ; Almasi G1 ; Shokri Varniab Z1 ; Abbasikangevari M1 ; Rezaei N1 ; Golestani A1 ; Ahmadi N1 ; Rezaei N1 ; Ghasemi E1 ; Azadnajafabad S1 ; Nasserinejad M1, 2 ; Rashidi MM1 ; Kazemi A1 Show All Authors
Authors
  1. Pourabhari Langroudi A1
  2. Farzi Y1
  3. Almasi G1
  4. Shokri Varniab Z1
  5. Abbasikangevari M1
  6. Rezaei N1
  7. Golestani A1
  8. Ahmadi N1
  9. Rezaei N1
  10. Ghasemi E1
  11. Azadnajafabad S1
  12. Nasserinejad M1, 2
  13. Rashidi MM1
  14. Kazemi A1
  15. Yoosefi M1, 3
  16. Foroutan Mehr E1
  17. Haghshenas R1
  18. Moghaddam SS1, 4
  19. Hajebi A1
  20. Mohammadi Fateh S1
  21. Moghimi M1
  22. Momen Nia Rankohi A1
  23. Afsari M5
  24. Djalalinia S6
  25. Farzadfar F1, 7
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
  3. 3. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
  4. 4. Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Kiel, Germany
  5. 5. NCD Management Office, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, IR, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Development of Research and Technology Center, Deputy of Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Scientific Reports Published:2025


Abstract

Tobacco smoking is a significant global public health challenge, responsible for 8 million deaths annually. This study aimed to analyze the age of smoking initiation and its sociodemographic determinants among Iranian adults, based on data from the 2021 STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey, to inform targeted public health interventions. The analysis of 27,874 adults revealed that the average initiation ages for cigarette and hookah smoking were 22.2 years and 24.9 years, respectively. Men typically began smoking earlier than women, with average ages of 21.9 years for males and 27.7 years for females. No significant differences were observed in smoking initiation ages between rural and urban areas. Education level and marital status were also influential, with the youngest initiators having 7–12 years of education and being single. This study highlights the significant roles of gender, education, and urban-rural differences in smoking initiation in Iran. The findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies conforming to the WHO’s MPOWER initiatives and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Increased investment in public health, focusing on education and preventive measures, is crucial to reduce early smoking initiation and its associated health risks, ultimately supporting broader health policy goals. © The Author(s) 2025.
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