The percentage of individuals aged 18 years and above who smoke one or more products of smoked tobacco (manufactured cigarettes, hand-rolled cigarettes, cigars, and water- pipes) in Palestine increased to about 31% of the total individuals aged 18 years and above in the year 2021, while this percentage was about 23% for 2010, today said the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS).

The PCBS, in cooperation with the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), carried out the first specialized survey on smoking and tobacco consumption in Palestine during the period between September 14 and November 1, 2021, on a sample of 9,232 households represented in Palestine. The number of households whose data was completed was 7,763 households, including 5,049 households in the West Bank, and 2,714 households in the Gaza Strip, with a response rate of 88%.

At the region’s level, the results of the survey indicated a large gap in smokers between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. There’s a clear increase in the prevalence of smoking among individuals aged 18 and above in the West Bank, as it increased from about 26% in 2010 to about 40% in 2021. In Gaza Strip, it increased from about 15% in 2010 to 17% in 2021.

The prevalence of smoking among males aged 18 years and above in Palestine was about 54% compared to 8% among females. Also, the percentage of male smokers constituted about 67% of all males aged 18 years and above in the West Bank, compared to 33% in Gaza Strip. In addition, this percentage reached about 12% of all females in the West Bank, compared to only 1% of all females in the Gaza Strip in the same age group.

Individuals in the age group 18-29 years constitute 40% of the total number of individuals currently smoking, with clear variations in the prevalence rates of smoking according to different age groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The results indicated that smoking is more prevalent among young people in the age group 18-29 years in the West Bank by 43% of all individuals in this age group. Results also showed that smoking is more prevalent in Gaza Strip in the age group 40-49 years, reaching 23% of all individuals in the same age group. While smoking was less prevalent among the elderly (60 years and above), the percentages in the West Bank and Gaza Strip were about 26% and 12%, respectively.

About 5% of individuals aged 18 years and above reported that they are former smokers and have now completely quit smoking. The average age when quitting smoking was 36 years old. While 21% of current smokers reported that, they have tried to quit smoking within the past 12 months preceding the survey. This percentage varied widely between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, reaching about 18% and 31%, respectively.

The survey also found that 64% of individuals aged 18 years and above reported that they were exposed to tobacco smoking at home during the 30 days preceding the survey, while about 66% of individuals indicated that they were exposed to tobacco smoking while using public transportation. Regarding exposure to secondhand smoking in the workplace, the results of the survey showed that 58% of individuals aged 18 years and above who are currently employed have been exposed to tobacco smoke in their workplace during the 30 days preceding the survey.

Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA)