Smoking patterns among Chinese rural–urban migrant workers

SummaryObjectivesTo estimate smoking prevalence and identify correlates of smoking initiation among rural–urban migrant workers.Study designSubjects were 4198 rural–urban migrant workers, aged 18 years and older, residing in three Chinese cities.MethodsParticipants were identified through multistage quota sampling. They were asked about their migration history, pre-migration and post-migration smoking status, employment and home life. Analyses were conducted using Chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression.ResultsOverall, smoking prevalence was higher subsequent to migration (28.4%) compared with before migration (20.8%) (P < 0.01). Initiation of daily smoking was associated with gender [odds ratio (OR) 0.02]; high school or greater education (OR 0.48; vs elementary school or lower); having a monthly personal income of 1000–1999 Yuan (OR 2.60), 2000–2999 Yuan (OR 3.08) or ≥3000 Yuan (OR 4.04) (vs <500 Yuan US$ 1 = 7.5 Yuan); and history of migration to three cities (OR:1.65) or four or more cities (OR 2.80) (vs one city). Initiation of occasional smoking was only associated with gender (OR 0.11). Solitude was the primary situational trigger for smoking initiation.ConclusionsA migratory lifestyle is associated with smoking initiation. Findings could inform the design of tobacco control programmes that would target Chinese rural–urban migrant workers as a special population.