Socioeconomic differences in smoking among Finnish adolescents from 1977 to 2007

Abstract

Purpose: Persistence of socioeconomic differences in smoking among adolescents over time is unexplored. We investigated the changes in smoking among 12-18-year-old Finns from 1977 to 2007 using multiple indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) to determine whether differences between socioeconomic groups increase over time, with reduced smoking in higher socioeconomic groups.

Methods: Nationwide biennial surveys were conducted since 1977 (response rate, 59%-88%; N = 96,747) using familial and individual social position (school performance/career) indicators. Associations between socioeconomic indicators and smoking were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

Results: Socioeconomic differences in smoking measured by familial SES or individual social position persisted over time, with higher rates in lower SES groups. Individual social position was more strongly related to smoking than familial SES. Differences between groups assessed by individual social position increased over time: the difference in smoking prevalence between groups with the lowest and highest individual social position among 12-14-year-old girls and boys, respectively, was 22% and 28% in 1977-1983, and 45% and 34% in 2001-2007; and in 16-18-year-old girls, 33% in 1977-1983 and 48% in 2001-2007. Smoking differences in relation to father's education increased over time: the difference in 12-14-year-old girls and boys, respectively, between the lowest and highest SES groups was 6% and 5% in 1977-1983 and 9% and 8.5% in 2001-2007; and in 16-18-year-old girls and boys, respectively, 7% and 10% in 1977-1983 and 13% and 14.5% in 2001-2007.

Conclusions: Differences between socioeconomic groups among Finnish adolescents persisted or increased over 30 years, and predict differences in smoking-related diseases between socioeconomic groups in adulthood.