The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) announces the preliminary results of the “Smoking and Tobacco Consumption Survey, 2021” on the World No Tobacco Day (May 31^st , 2022)

 

 

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (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 (14/09/2021-01/11/2021) 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 Gaza Strip, with a response rate of 88%.

 

A significant increase in smoking rates and a large gap between the West Bank and Gaza Strip

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. At the region’s level, the results of the survey indicated a large gap 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.

 

Percentage of smoking among individuals aged (18 years and above) by region and sex for the years 2010, 2021

 

 

Half of the individuals aged 18 years and above in Tulkarm Governorate are smokers

The results of the survey indicated that Tulkarm Governorate in the West Bank recorded the highest percentage of smokers for the year 2021, which amounted to about 49% of all individuals aged 18 years and above in the governorate. While Salfit Governorate recorded the lowest percentage of smokers in the West Bank, where the percentage of smokers reached about 30% of all individuals aged 18 years and above in the governorate. In Gaza Strip, Rafah governorate recorded the highest percentage of smokers among all governorates of Gaza Strip, reaching about 20% of all individuals aged 18 and above in the governorate. Khan Younis Governorate recorded the lowest percentage of smokers in Gaza Strip, where the percentage reached about 16% of all individuals aged 18 years and above in the governorate.

 

 

 

About two-thirds of males in the West Bank are smokers

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 Gaza Strip in the same age group.

 

More than a third of smokers are young adults

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.

 

Percentage of smokers 18 years and above by region and age groups, 2021

 

 

Cigarettes are the most common type of tobacco among male smokers and water-pipes are among females

74% of the total current smokers aged 18 years and above only smoke cigarettes (manufactured or hand-rolled) without using other types of tobacco, while the percentage of cigarettes smokers beside other tobacco products reached 79% of the total current smokers. Cigarette smoking is also prevalent at higher percentages among males compared to females, as it reached 85% among male smokers compared to 32% among female smokers.

 

Percentage of individuals aged 18 years and above who currently smoke by type of tobacco used, 2021

*: Other types such as pipes and cigars.

 

Water-pipes are also wide spread among smokers, as the percentage of water-pipe smokers in addition to other tobacco product reached about 25% of the total number of smokers, while the percentage of water-pipe only smoking without the use of other types of tobacco reached about 21% of the total current smokers. The percentage reached about 67% among females of the total female smokers, and 14% among males of the total male smokers. According to age, the youth aged (18-29 years) were the most likely to use water-pipe, with a percentage of 49% of all water-pipe only smokers.

 

Percentage distribution of individuals aged 18 years and above who only smoke water-pipe, by age groups, 2021

 

 

Electronic Cigarettes

About 3% of all individuals aged 18 years and above use electronic cigarettes; 4% in the West Bank compared to 1% in Gaza Strip.

 

Two out of 10 current smokers have tried to quit

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 of the survey. This percentage varied widely between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, reaching about 18% and 31%, respectively. In a related context, about 15% of manufactured cigarette smokers reported that they considered quitting after noticing the warning messages about the dangers of smoking on cigarette packages.

Nearly two-thirds of people are exposed to secondhand smoking indoors

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 thirty days preceding the survey.

 

 

 Percentage of individuals aged 18 years and above exposed to secondhand smoking by place of exposure and region, 2021

 

 

 

 

Social media is the most widely reported about the dangers of smoking

About 30% of individuals aged 18 years and above noticed warning information about the dangers of smoking or tips to stop smoking through social media networks during the thirty days preceding the survey. Meanwhile, 18% of individuals watched this information through television, street advertisements and posters, and at lower rates through the radio, newspapers and magazines; 16% and 10%, respectively.