Quality Assessment of Data on Smoking Behaviour in the WHO MONICA Project

Appendix 3a. Smoking items of data transfer format 04, version 3

(See Section 3.2, Appendix 2a, Appendix 3b and Appendix 3c.)


CIGS "Do you smoke cigarettes now?"
1 = yes, regularly
2 = no (if no, record 888 in NUMCIGS)
3 = occasionally
9 = insufficient data

Code 1 if regular smoker, i.e. the person smokes cigarettes every day.
Code 2 if non-smoker, i.e. the person does not smoke cigarettes at all.
Code 3 is used when the person smokes cigarettes but not regularly.
Code 9 for insufficient data.


NUMCIGS "On average how many cigarettes do you now smoke a day?" Record the number of cigarettes a day.
888 if CIGS = 2
999 = insufficient data

Record the number of cigarettes smoked daily. If CIGS = 3 and the average number of cigarettes is less than one per day this item should be coded 000.

For the amounts 1 - 9, code 001 - 009 and for amounts 10 - 99, code 010 - 099.
Code 888 if CIGS = 2.
Code 999 if data are insufficient to record the daily number of cigarettes.


EVERCIG "Did you ever smoke cigarettes in the past?"
1 = yes, regularly in the past, but not now
2 = no, never
3 = yes, occasionally in the past, but not now
8 = yes, and still regularly or occasionally now
9 = insufficient data

Codes 1 and 3 are used for persons who have stopped smoking. In such cases CIGS  = 2 or 9 and NUMCIGS = 888 or 999.
Code 2 is used for never-smokers. In such cases CIGS = 2 and NUMCIGS = 888
Code 8 if CIGS = 1 or 3


STOP "When did you stop smoking cigarettes?" Record the year (four digits)
8888 = smoking regularly or occasionally now, or never smoked
9999 = insufficient data

Record the year with four digits or record 9999 in cases when EVERCIG = 1 or 3.
Code 8888 if  smoking now or never smoked, i.e. EVERCIG = 2 or 8.


IFLYEAR If in the last 12 months
1 = less than a month ago
2 = between 1 and 6 months ago
3 = between 6 and 12 months ago
8 = not in the last 12 months, or smoking regularly or occasionally now, or never smoked
9 = insufficient data

Codes 1, 2 and 3 are self-explanatory.
Code 8 is used if the person is a smoker, i.e. CIGS = 1 or if the person smokes only occasionally, i.e. CIGS = 3 or if the person has never smoked, i.e. EVERCIG = 2, or if the person has stopped smoking more than 12 months ago.
Code 9 for insufficient data.


CIGAR "About how many cigars/cigarillos do you smoke per week?" Record the number.
999 = insufficient data

Record the number of cigars or cigarillos smoked.
Code 000 if a non-smoker or occasional smoker (less than one per week on average).
Code 999 for insufficient data.


PIPE "About how many grams of pipe tobacco do you smoke per week?" Record the number of grams. (1 ounce = 30 grams)
999 = insufficient data

Record the number of grams (1 ounce = 30 grams).
If a non-smoker or occasionally smoker (less than one gram per week on average), code 000.
Code 999 for insufficient data.