Smoking behavior and exposure to tobacco smoke in Split-Dalmatia County

Abstract Background Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death, which is why a number of measures to reduce its use are carried out in the world. That’s why the aim of this study were to show the data on smoking behavior and the exposure to the tobacco smoke of the inhabitants of the Split-Dalmatia County, which represent the starting point in the creation of public health interventions Methods Via European Health Survey 2014/2015 (EHIS) the data on the smoking behavior and exposure to tobacco smoke in the Split-Dalmatia County were colected. The targeted population was aged 15 and over. The survey included 267 inhabitants (141 men and 126 women) of the Split-Dalmatia County. Results The overall sample shows that the daily smokers are 22.43% of the population, men 25.71%, and women 18.69%. Occasionally smokes 3.04% of the population (2.14% of men and 4.06% of women), while non-smokers are 74.52% of the population (77.23% of women and 72.1% of men). Tobacco products consumed are mostly cigarettes (97%). More than half (52.63 %) smokes more than 20 cigarettes a day. According to the survey results, more than half of the population (61.04%) has never or nearly never been exposed to indoor smoking, men rarely (56.03%) compared to women (66.1%). Less than one hour was exposed to 17.74% of the population (21.55% of men and 13.91% of women) and one hour and more 16.45% of the population (18.10 men and 15.65 women). Conclusions Indicators of smoking behavior and exposure to tobacco smoke are somewhat more favorable to residents of the Split-Dalmatia County than in the total population of Croatia. Despite the measures taken for years in Croatia, these indicators are still unsatisfactory. Existing measures need to be re-examined and strengthened to overcome this important public health problem as successfully as possible. Key messages In order to reduce the prevalence of smoking and improve the health of its population, Croatia needs to strengthen and adopt additional policies on tobacco control. One of the measures would certainly be a ban on smoking in public places, which could, among other things, have a significant impact on denormalising smoking in the community.