PREVALENCE OF SMOKING IN A COMMUNITY IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL.

Introduction and Objectives: Smoking is currently recognized as a chemical dependency that expose individuals to numerous toxic substances. Considered the main public health problem by the World Health Organization (WHO), the consumption of snuff should be seen as a pandemic, it is responsible for about five million deaths (four million men and one million women) per year worldwide. The objective this study was to determine the population of smokers in the area of actuation of the community. Methodology: This is an cross-sectional study, the population over 14 years in the district of Mundo Novo, Novo Hamburgo city, Rio Grande do Sul. It was initially conducted a literature review in BIREME databases based on the last five years. The instruments were applied in September 2015. It was used semi-structured questionnaire. It was randomly applied to patients who were consulting in health center. Results and Conclusions: The prevalence of smokers in district in the period was 18%. The profile of the smokers was analyzed: 74% female, 79%, age 40-59 years, 52% were 15-30 years when started smoking, 89% at least one smoker parent and 79% tried to stop the smoke at least once. The prevalence of smoking varies in community studies (11-32%), one should take into account the demographic and socioeconomic aspects, women consults more often this may explain the higher prevalence. The high number of smokers who tried to quit leads us to believe in the importance of a support group. The opportunity was offered drug treatment for termination of dependency.