The Federal Republic of Germany is
the European Member state with the largest
population and is also one of the countries
with the highest prevalences of tobacco use.
Initiation of smoking takes place in the large
majority of cases in the early adolescent
years. The purpose of this study is therefore
to describe initiation of smoking in young
people in Germany. In addition to investigating
nominal onset of tobacco use, this study
conducts a simultaneous investigation of
onset age, cohort trends, and social factors
influencing the initiation of smoking.
Methods: Multivariable event data analyses
were performed for this purpose on the basis
of a representative national cross-sectional
study. The survey took place in 2004 and involved
a total net sample of 3032 individuals
aged 12 to 25.
Results: The figures indicate that 36 % of
male and 35 % of female young people in
Germany are smokers. One in three 13-yearolds
have already tasted their first cigarette.
By the age of 15, one in two young people
have smoked a cigarette. The average age of
smoking initiation has declined significantly
in recent years. Regional and social disparity
is a factor. Youngsters from economically deprived
areas of eastern Germany, those from
socio-economic groups with low educational
qualifications, and children from households
with adult smokers start smoking at a significantly
earlier age.
Conclusions: As with the prevalence of tobacco
use in adults, Germany also heads the
European league in terms of age of onset of
smoking. This mirrors a decade-long deficient
national tobacco control policy.
