Smoking trends have shown a general pattern of decline in most population subgroups defined by place of birth since 1986.
Table 1.7 shows smoking prevalence by place of birth for adults resident in Australia. The data show some variability, probably due to smaller sample size among those groups not born in Australia. However, as a general observation, smoking rates among discrete subgroups of the population appear to incline towards the overall population prevalence. Previously heavy smoking subgroups exhibit downwards trends, while subgroups which traditionally smoke less increase. The post-migration phenomenon of embracing the mores of the adoptive country (with attendant effects on mortality and morbidity) is well documented.(22)
Table 1.7: Prevalence of smoking by sex and place of birth, Australia, 1980-1992 | ||||||
Males | ||||||
1980 |
1983 |
1986 |
1989 |
1992 |
1995 | |
| Australia | 39 |
37 |
33 |
30 |
29 |
28 |
| UK | 41 |
39 |
35 |
31 |
22 |
28 |
| Europe ø | 51 |
38 |
40 |
28 |
26 |
25 |
| Asia Ý | - |
- |
16 |
26 |
26 |
20 |
| Other | 41 |
37 |
33 |
36 |
33 |
25 |
Females | ||||||
1980 |
1983 |
1986 |
1989 |
1992 |
1995 | |
| Australia | 30 |
30 |
28 |
28 |
23 |
24 |
| UK | 36 |
35 |
31 |
31 |
28 |
25 |
| Europe ø | 27 |
26 |
30 |
26 |
33 |
19 |
| Asia Ý | - |
- |
13 |
4 |
8 |
10 |
| Other | 32 |
28 |
34 |
25 |
28 |
19 |
ø Excluding the UK Ý Included with other regions in earlier survey years Source: Hill et al, 5 Hill and White, 6 Hill and Gray, 14, 15 Hill, 16 Hill et al 6a | ||||||