PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PRACTICE AND SMOKING: ARE THEY RELATED? AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN SPAIN

Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez*, Vicente Romo-Pérez and José L. García-Soidán

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this cross-sectional observational study were: (a) To define the prevalence of tobacco smoking in Spain and its evolution over the years; (b) to define the prevalence of physical activity participation in the Spanish population and its evolution over the years; (c) to identify whether physical activity practice inhibits tobacco smoking and (d) to identify whether physical activity practice reduces cigarette consumption in the Spanish smoking population. The study is based on data from all the National Health Surveys made in Spain (1.995 – 2.017). The results showed that, over time, the population of women who acknowledged smoking was on the rise. However, the proportion of male smokers decreased in all age groups. The tobacco consumption according to physical activity showed that smokers who did not engage in any type of exercise had a higher average daily cigarette consumption. Therefore, institutions should place special emphasis on anti-tobacco campaigns aimed at the female population and also on policies that promote the practice of physical activity throughout the population. Although the practice of exercise by itself does not seem to be related to smoking status, it is related to lower daily consumption of tobacco, making it easier for smokers to give up their addiction definitively.

Keywords: Smoking; Health Planning Councils; Environment; Public policy; Exercise.