PUTRAJAYA – Tobacco smoking among women has increased compared to men in 2023, a study shows.
The Health Ministry’s Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2023 found that the national prevalence of tobacco smoking last year was 19%, down from 23.1% in the previous survey in 2011.
However, the decline in smoking rates did not extend to women as a specific group.
Men’s tobacco smoking prevalence was reported to be 35.7% in 2023, down 8.2% from the previous survey. Meanwhile, women’s prevalence was 1.5% in 2023, up 0.5% from 2011.
Similar to the 2011 report, the smoking habit is highest among rural populations at 21.7%, compared to 18.3% in urban areas.
The survey also highlighted that many smokers are young and start smoking at a young age, despite existing legislation. Around 60% of smokers aged 20 to 34 reported having their first cigarette before turning 18.
The largest age group of smokers is reported to be those between the ages of 25 and 44, but since 2011, this group has decreased by 4.1%.
E-cigarettes on the rise
According to the survey, e-cigarette usage among Malaysians has grown dramatically since 2011.
The percentage of people who use e-cigarettes increased from 0.8% in 2011 to 5.8% in 2023, while the use of both tobacco and e-cigarettes rose from 0.8% in 2011 to 3.9% in 2023.
E-cigarette usage is particularly prevalent among younger age groups, with a rate of 8.6% among those aged 15 to 24 years.
The survey noted that the three main reasons people use e-cigarettes are because they are more enjoyable, available in flavours they like, and perceived to be less dangerous than smoking tobacco.
Additionally, the survey also found that two in five smokers expressed no interest in quitting smoking. – May 16, 2023