Objective: To describe the characteristics and associated factors of the smoking habit among older adults.
Methods: A population-based study was carried out comprising 1,606 (92.2%) older adults (> or =60 years old) living in the Bambuí town, Southeastern Brazil in 1997. Data was obtained by means of interview and socio-demographic factors, health status, physical functioning, use of healthcare services and medication were considered. The multiple multinomial logistic regression was used to assess independent associations between smoking habits (current and former smokers) and the exploratory variables.
Results: The prevalence of current and past smoking was 31.4% and 40.2% among men, and 10.3% and 11.2% among women, respectively (p<0.001). Among current smokers, men consumed a larger number of cigarettes per day and started the habit earlier than women. Among men, current smoking presented independent and negative association with age (> or =80 years) and schooling (> or =8 years) and positive association with poor health perception and not being married. Among women, independent and negative associations with current smoking were observed for age (75-79 and > or =80 years) and schooling (4-7 and > or =8 years).
Conclusions: Smoking was a public health concern among older adults in the studied community, particularly for men. Yet, in a low schooling population, a slightly higher level was a protective factor against smoking for both men and women. Programs for reducing smoking in the elderly population should take these findings into consideration.