Those who start smoking at a younger age are likely to become more frequent and heavier smokers later in life

13 Oct 2025

Understanding the relationship between age at smoking initiation and later smoking intensity is crucial for assessing future health consequences of smoking early and informing strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco use. This study explores the relationship between the two smoking-related behaviors among Filipino daily smokers.

Secondary data analyses from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey Philippines were performed. This study covers those who reported being daily smokers. The outcome of interest was smoking intensity measured as the number of manufactured cigarettes consumed per day, while the main predictor was age at smoking initiation. Data from 2,260 participants were analyzed. Negative binomial regression was used to test for the relationship between age at smoking initiation and smoking intensity while controlling for socio-demographic variables and other smoking-related behaviors.

The average age at which daily smoking commenced was 20.93 (SD=6.35) years, while the average number of manufactured cigarettes consumed per day was 9.50 (SD=7.26). Age at smoking initiation was a significant predictor of smoking intensity, even after controlling for potential confounders. Each additional year of age at which smoking was initiated was associated with a 1.55% decrease in smoking intensity in the adjusted model. Other predictors of smoking intensity were current age, sex, and smoking rules at home.

Greater smoking intensity may be linked to early smoking initiation among Filipino adult daily smokers. The results may support interventions that target younger ages to curb heavy tobacco use at later ages.

The relationship between age at smoking initiation and smoking intensity has not yet been studied in the country. Thus, this study not only contributes to the understanding of the behavioral and health trajectories of Filipinos who start smoking at an early age, but also to the development of policies and programs aimed at preventing and reducing tobacco use among Filipinos.

Author: Samuel Brando H. Piamonte (Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila)

Read the full paper: https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Greater-smoking-intensity-may-be-linked-to-early-smoking-initiation-among-Filipinos,194485,0,2.html

Photo by Rahu from Pexels

Those who start smoking at a younger age are likely to become more frequent and heavier smokers later in life

Understanding the relationship between age at smoking initiation and later smoking intensity is crucial for assessing future health consequences of smoking early and informing strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco use. This study explores the relationship between the two smoking-related behaviors among Filipino daily smokers.

Secondary data analyses from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey Philippines were performed. This study covers those who reported being daily smokers. The outcome of interest was smoking intensity measured as the number of manufactured cigarettes consumed per day, while the main predictor was age at smoking initiation. Data from 2,260 participants were analyzed. Negative binomial regression was used to test for the relationship between age at smoking initiation and smoking intensity while controlling for socio-demographic variables and other smoking-related behaviors.

The average age at which daily smoking commenced was 20.93 (SD=6.35) years, while the average number of manufactured cigarettes consumed per day was 9.50 (SD=7.26). Age at smoking initiation was a significant predictor of smoking intensity, even after controlling for potential confounders. Each additional year of age at which smoking was initiated was associated with a 1.55% decrease in smoking intensity in the adjusted model. Other predictors of smoking intensity were current age, sex, and smoking rules at home.

Greater smoking intensity may be linked to early smoking initiation among Filipino adult daily smokers. The results may support interventions that target younger ages to curb heavy tobacco use at later ages.

The relationship between age at smoking initiation and smoking intensity has not yet been studied in the country. Thus, this study not only contributes to the understanding of the behavioral and health trajectories of Filipinos who start smoking at an early age, but also to the development of policies and programs aimed at preventing and reducing tobacco use among Filipinos.

Author: Samuel Brando H. Piamonte (Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila)

Read the full paper: https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Greater-smoking-intensity-may-be-linked-to-early-smoking-initiation-among-Filipinos,194485,0,2.html

Photo by Rahu from Pexels