Characteristics of young female smokers in a Swedish primary health care area

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Abstract
Objective - To analyse the correlation between smoking, socioeconomic characteristics, and sexual and contraceptive patterns in young women. Design - Cross-sectional population study, smokers compared with non-smokers. Setting - Nättraby-Hasslö, a rural area in southern Sweden. Participants - All women between 15–34 years of age (n = 541). Results - 26% smoked daily. Smokers on average had less schooling, lower 9th grade results, less satisfaction in school, and more unskilled professions than non-smokers. Apart from a higher parental divorce rate among smokers, no correlation between parental factors and smoking was found. Smokers on average reported an earlier sexual debut, more unprotected first intercourse, more life-time sexual partners, and more legal abortions. Conclusion - Smoking is associated with sexual habits, which may reflect a higher tendency to take personal risks among smokers.