Smoking among immigrants in Norway: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Smoking among immigrants varies by country background and is high in some groups. More detailed information about smoking prevalence by country background and sociodemographic factors is needed to target interventions. Methods: Data from the Survey on Living Conditions among immigrants 2016 were used, including immigrants from 12 countries and with ⩾2 years of residence ( N = 3565). Data on smoking (daily and occasional) by country of birth, sex, age group, education, duration of residence, age at immigration, proficiency in the Norwegian language, and social support were reported. Results: The highest proportions of daily smokers were seen among immigrants from Turkey (36%), Poland (34%), and Vietnam (29%) for men, and from Turkey (22%), Bosnia-Herzegovina (18%), and Poland (17%) for women. Differences in smoking by sociodemographic factors varied with country background, but for several groups of men, the lowest proportions of smokers were seen among those with the highest educational level, those who were employed, and those who immigrated during childhood or adolescence. Conclusions: Policies are warranted that target smoking among immigrant men in general, and particularly among men from Turkey, Poland, and Vietnam, as well as for women from Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Poland.