Table 1

Current smoking by birth cohort, age (in diagonals), study year, and educational level in men

Birth cohortCurrent smokers by year (%)Age (years)
197219771982198719921997
Less highly educated men
1913–19175239
1918–1922574238
1923–192755483631
1928–19325448343423
1933–1937534443353424
1938–194254443540332960–64
1943–194753534640433155–59
1948–1952524949324250–54
1953–19575350423745–49
1958–196248433940–44
1963–1967424235–39
1968–19724830–34
25–29
Total544642403635
More highly educated men
1913–19174828
1918–1922494537
1923–192753383026
1928–19324640383423
1933–1937373842262423
1938–194245413431281960–64
1943–194755423332332955–59
1948–1952464041353250–54
1953–19573933373445–49
1958–196227312940–44
1963–1967291335–39
1968–19723730–34
25–29
Total484037323127

  • Odds ratios and significance levels from logistic regression analyses: one-factor models: study year 0.85 (p<0.001); age group 0.93 (p<0.001); birth cohort 0.99 (p = 0.15); education 0.78 (p<0.001). Multivariate model: study year 0.91 (p<0.001); age group 0.98 (p = 0.10); education 0.78 (p<0.001); interaction between study year and age group 0.99 (p = 0.002). Multivariate model: study year 0.89 (p<0.001); age group 0.94 (p<0.001); education 0.84 (p = 0.003); interaction between study year and education 0.97 (p = 0.15).

  • For an explanation of educational level, see text.