Work

Smoking among Malaysian adults aged ≥15 years: A secondary dataset analysis of Global Adult Tobacco Survey- Malaysia 2023 (GATS-M 2023 )

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The ongoing assessment of smoking rates and their related factors is a crucial component of anti-smoking initiatives and is essential for evaluating the success of anti-smoking strategies and policies. This research aimed to ascertain the prevalence of smoking and to identify the sociodemographic factors linked to smoking among adults in Malaysia aged ≥15 years. METHODS: We analyzed the secondary data of GATS-M 2023, which employed a cross-sectional design with a representative sample of 4269 adults in Malaysia aged ≥15 years, selected through a stratified, two-stage proportionate-to-size sampling technique. The research team collected the GATS-M data through face-to-face interviews conducted by trained research assistants, using a standardized, validated questionnaire. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify sociodemographic factors associated with smoking among Malaysians. RESULTS: The overall smoking prevalence was found to be 19.0% (95% CI: 17.1-21.1), with males exhibiting a significantly higher prevalence than females (35.7%; 95% CI: 32.0-39.5 vs 1.5%; 95% CI: 0.8-3.1). The highest rates of smoking were noted among individuals of other ethnic backgrounds (39.1%), those aged 25-44 years (24.9%), and individuals who completed primary school but less than secondary school 95% CI: 2.60-5.91 (23.6%). Multivariable analysis revealed that Males from Malay (AOR=3.92; 95% CI: 2.60-5.91), Indian (AOR=3.17; 95% CI: 1.50-3.74), Other Bumiputra (AOR=3.14; 95% CI: 1.83-0.33), and other ethnic groups (AOR=4.77; 95% CI: 2.36-9.65) (Chinese ethnic as reference), and individuals with primary (AOR=2.98; 95% CI: 1.81-4.90) and secondary education level, showed a higher risk of being current smokers (AOR=1.81; 95% CI: 1.17-2.80, tertiary education level as reference) whilst no similar trends were found among female adults. CONCLUSIONS: The smoking prevalence among Malaysian adults aged ≥15 years showed a slight decrease. There is a need for more anti-smoking policies or interventions, particularly aimed at males, Malays, younger adults, and those with lower levels of education, to further reduce the smoking prevalence in Malaysia.

Source: Tobacco Induced Diseases

DOI: 10.18332/tid/211250