BACKGROUND: The 2nd National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHeS II) was conducted in 2008 to measure the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases and risk factors among adult Filipinos 20 years or older. One of the risk factors measured was smoking.

METHODS: The survey used a stratified multi-stage sampling design and covered the 17 regions of the country. The clinical component included Filipino adults 20 years or older. Data was collected using health questionaires; anthropometric measurements were made, and blood examinations performed on all participants. The prevalence of smoking was determined.

RESULTS: A total of 7,700 subjects were included in the survey. The over-all prevalence of current smokers was 31% (53.2% and 12.5% for men and women, respectively). 14% were former smokers (20.9% of men and 9.5% of women) while 25.9% of men and 78.1% of women were never smokers.Among current male smokers, the highest prevalence (57.7%) belonged to the 20-29 age group. While among current female smokers, the highest prevalence (23.2%) belonged to the greater than 70-year-old category.There were more current smokers in the rural areas (33.1%) than the urban areas (28.9%) and there were more current and former smokers among respondents whose educational attainment was at least tertiary level (62.7%).

CONCLUSION: Tobacco use in the Philippines is still prevalent at 31% and is predominantly composed of males in the 20-29 age group. Current smoking is highest among rural dwellers and among individuals with elementary education, while majority of women and college level respondents are never smokers.