Use of tobacco and exposure to tobacco smoke in Brazil: results from the National Health Survey 2013

Objective: to describe indicators related to tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke in Brazil. Methods: this was a descriptive study using National Health Survey 2013 data. Results: prevalence of current tobacco use was 15.0% (95%CI 14.4%-15.5%), mainly via smoking (14.7%; 95%CI 14.2%-15.2%); in the 12 months preceding the interview, 51% (95%CI 49.3%-52.9%) of current smokers had tried to quit smoking; the prevalence of former smokers was 17.5% (95%CI 16.9%-18.0%), 19.2% (95%CI 18.3%-20.1%) in males and 11.2% (95%CI 10.6%-11.8%) in females; prevalence of exposure to tobacco smoke at home was 10.7% (95%CI 10.2%-11.3%) whilst in enclosed work places it was 13.5% (95%CI 12.6%-14.4 %). Conclusion: in comparison with other countries, the prevalence of tobacco consumption in Brazil was low, as was exposure to tobacco smoke; nevertheless, around one-sixth of the population consumed some kind of tobacco product.