Smoking prevalence is generally higher among men

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the trends in male and female smoking prevalence in the period 1990-2005 for three selected countries.

Lithuania

Difference in male and female smoking prevalence remains

Figure 1 shows the trend in smoking prevalence for the Baltic state of Lithuania, where smoking is much more prevalent among men than among women. However, irrespective of this big difference between the sexes, both male and female smoking prevalence appear to be following a similar trend.

Figure 1: Trend in male and female smoking prevalence in Lithuania, 1990-2005 (Source: WHO-HFA database, 2007)

Sweden

Female smoking prevalence has overtaken male smoking prevalence

Figure 2 shows the trend in smoking prevalence for Sweden. In the early nineties the smoking prevalence among women drew level with the smoking prevalence among men. Since then the female smoking prevalence has overtaken the male smoking prevalence. However, figure 2 also shows that smoking prevalence is declining for both men and women.

Figure 2: Trend in male and female smoking prevalence in Sweden, 1990-2005 (Source: WHO-HFA database, 2007)

UK

Similar smoking prevalence for men and women

Figure 3 shows the trend in smoking prevalence for the UK. The smoking prevalence is quite similar among both sexes, though slightly higher for men. Furthermore, there is a declining trend in the smoking prevalence for both men and women.

Figure 3: Trend in male and female smoking prevalence in the UK, 1990-2005 (Source: WHO-HFA database, 2007)