Search

Introduction: Transitions between different tobacco products are frequent among tobacco users in Bangladesh; however, the reasons leading to such transitions and why they quit are not well researched. The aim of the study is to examine perceptions and reasons reported by tobacco users in Bangladesh to transition to other products or quit. Methods: Data from four waves (2009–2015) of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Bangladesh Survey were used. Repeated data on perceptions and reasons for exclusive cigarette (n=520), bidi (n=130), and SLT users (n=308) to either start using other products or quit were analyzed with sampling weights. The percentages of responses across waves were used to calculate the pooled proportion data using a meta-analysis approach. Results: Common reasonsig for respondents switching to other tobacco products were influence of friends/family (73.8–86.0%), and curiosity (44.4–71.3%). The perceived calming effect of smoking cigarettes and bidis (43.2–56.9%), and the impression that bidis were less harmful (52.3%) and taste better (71.2%) were major reasons for exclusive SLT users to switch products. Health concerns (16.5– 62.7%) and disapproval from friends/family (29.8–56.4%) were generally the main reasons for quitting. For smoked tobacco users, doctor’s advice (41.6%), package warning labels (32.3%), and price (32.4%) seemed to be the major driving factors to quit. Conclusions: Results highlight that the reasons for switching between tobacco products and quitting include social factors (e.g. friends/family) and (mis) perceptions regarding the products. Tobacco control policy could emphasize cessation support, increased price and education campaigns as key policies to reduce overall tobacco use in Bangladesh. Data from four waves (2009–2015) of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Bangladesh Survey were used. Repeated data on perceptions and reasons for exclusive cigarette (n=520), bidi (n=130), and SLT users (n=308) to either start using other products or quit were analyzed with sampling weights. The percentages of responses across waves were used to calculate the pooled proportion data using a meta-analysis approach.

This study describes market trends of flavor capsule cigarettes (FCCs) and menthol (non-capsule) cigarettes (MNCCs) across 78 countries from 2010 to 2020 and examines country-level factors associated with market shares of these products.Market share and retail volume data came from the Euromonitor Passport database and country-level data came from the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, and International Monetary Fund. Multivariable linear fixed effects panel regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between predictor variables and the market shares of menthol (non-capsule) cigarettes and flavor capsule cigarettes.The overall market share (i.e. the percentage retail volume out of total retail volume of all cigarette types) increased from 0.23% in 2010 to 4.5% in 2020 for FCCs and decreased from 5.0% to 3.8% for MNCCs. Market shares of FCCs grew most rapidly in the Americas region and among upper middle-income countries. Market shares of MNCCs remained stable across most regions and were highest in the Western Pacific and Africa regions. The overall market share of FCCs was positively associated with the unemployment rate (β=0.28; 95% CI: 0.12-0.44, p=0.001), and inversely associated with the percent of the population aged 15-29 years (β= -0.57, 95% CI: -0.98 - -0.15, p=0.008), percent of urban population (β= -0.88; 95% CI: -1.28 - -0.48, p0.001), GDP PPP per capita (β= -0.13; 95% CI: -0.24 - -0.03, p=0.015), and age-standardized prevalence of cigarette smoking (β= -0.93; 95% CI: -1.38 - -0.49, p0.001). In contrast, the overall market share of MNCCs was positively associated with urbanicity (β=0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.40, p=0.003), and negatively associated with the unemployment rate (β= -0.09; 95% CI: -0.17 - -0.02, p=0.014).Global sales of flavor capsule cigarettes grew substantially in the last decade, surpassing menthol (non-capsule) cigarettes, which also continued to be high in many regions. There is a need for increased efforts to address flavors and novel tobacco products, features that are known to appeal to youth.

Introduction: The international tobacco market is dominated by five transnational tobacco companies (TTCs) which continue to interfere with measures to reduce tobacco consumption. The aim of this study is to better understand the current international tobacco industry market structure by providing an overview of the market share of these five companies globally. Methods: A longitudinal multi-country study design was used to understand market share trends across 90 different countries from 2011 to 2020. Descriptive analyses were conducted based on market share and market size data obtained from Euromonitor Passport. Market share (%), maximal market share (%) and cumulative market share (%) were calculated. Maps and boxplots are used to present the descriptive analyses. Median cumulative TTC market share and interquartile ranges for each year were calculated and stratified by country income level. Results: The average maximal market share of one company in a country was 50% (IQR: 40.0–63.5) in 2020 compared to 51.5% in 2011 (IQR: 41.3–69.0). One of the five TTCs had the highest market share in 77 out of the 90 countries. Philip Morris International was the main market player in 38 countries, followed by British American Tobacco (24), Japan Tobacco International (8), Imperial Brands (6), and lastly China National Tobacco Corporation was only dominant in China. The percentage of cigarettes manufactured by one of the five TTCs remained relatively stable between 2011 (86.4%) and 2020 (85.2%). Average cumulative TTC market shares increased between 2011 and 2020 in both low- and middle-, and high-income countries. Conclusions: The international tobacco market is concentrated with a small number of large players, and this has not changed substantially between 2011 and 2020. The impact of this on the ability of the tobacco industry to resist policy changes is unknown but presents a cause for concern.

BackgroundMost smokers take up their habit in adolescence. Risk factors for smoking are changing over time as demographics shift, and technologies such as social media create new avenues for the tobacco industry to recruit smokers. We assessed risk factors associated with smoking uptake among a representative cohort of UK adolescents.MethodsData come from 8,944 children followed prospectively as part of the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Smoking uptake was assessed as adolescents who had never smoked tobacco at age 14, but reported smoking ≥1 cigarette per week by age 17 (regular smoking). We used logistic regression to assess associations between smoking uptake and selected socio-demographic factors including household income, caregiver smoking, peer smoking, and social media use. Weighted percentages and Office for National Statistics Data were used to estimate numbers of regular smokers and new smokers in the UK.ResultsAmong the whole sample, 10.6% of adolescents were regular smokers at age 17. Of these, 52% had started smoking between ages 14 and 17. Uptake was more common if caregivers (14.7% vs 5.7%, p5hours/day of social media use (10.0% vs 5.2%, p=0.006). Applying these percentages to population data, an estimated 160,000 adolescents in the UK were regular smokers by age 17, of whom more than 100,000 took up the habit between ages 14 and 17.DiscussionSmoking behaviour remains highly transmissible within families and peer groups, reinforcing inequalities. Social media are highlighted as a potential vector.What this paper addsWhat is already known on this subject?Cross sectional data suggest that certain population groups, such as those from more deprived backgrounds, are more likely to take up smoking earlier in life, a factor which is linked to greater health risks.What important gaps in knowledge exist on this topic?There are few prospective studies with nationally representative data that track smoking uptake in adolescence and how this is changing over time in the UK.What this study addsAround one in nine adolescents in the UK were regular smokers by age 17 and around half (52%) had taken up the habit since they were 14 years old.Smoking among peers and caregivers was linked to adolescent smoking uptake and more time spent on social media was associated with greater likelihood of smoking uptake.

Introduction Most studies use the prevalence of current smoking as an indicator to quantify the burden of smoking. However, length and intensity of smoking, as well as time since cessation for former smokers are also known to impact smoking-related health risks. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the burden of smoking across the European Union (EU) using a range of smoking burden indicators. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the March 2017 Eurobarometer 87.1 (n=27,901 aged ≥15 years in 28 Member States [MS]) and the Tobacco Control Scale. We defined five indicators of smoking burden including the prevalence of current and ever smoking, length of smoking, pack-years, and discounted pack-years and ranked EU MS by each indicator. Two-level linear and logistic regressions were performed to assess the association between these indicators and sociodemographic and tobacco policy factors. Results Wide variations across the EU countries were observed in all smoking burden indicators. While some MS ranked consistently high (e.g. Greece, France) or consistently low (e.g. Ireland, United Kingdom) in all indicators, we found substantial discrepancies in ranking depending on the indicator used for MS such as Malta, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands. All indicators of smoking burden were lower among women and respondents without financial difficulties; however, the magnitude of those inequalities varied two-fold among the different indicators. Conclusions Using a range of smoking burden indicators can be more informative than relying on prevalence alone. Our analysis highlights the limitations of relying solely on prevalence of current smoking to estimate the burden of smoking and the potential value of more nuanced indicators. We recommend that multiple and more nuanced indicators that consider former smokers, intensity and duration of smoking should be utilised to monitor tobacco use and evaluate tobacco control policies.

Εισαγωγή: Οι κρίσεις στην οικονομία επηρεάζουν σημαντικά τη δημόσια υγεία. Από το 2008, η Ελλάδα αντιμετωπίζει μια σοβαρή οικονομική κρίση, η οποία έχει επηρεάσει καθοριστικά την ελληνική κοινωνία και το σύστημα υγείας. Μελετήθηκαν οι τάσεις στην επιδημιολογία παραγόντων κινδύνου των καρδιαγγειακών νοσημάτων που σχετίζονται με τον τρόπο ζωής πριν, στην αρχή και κατά τη διάρκεια της κρίσης, συγκρίνοντας δεδομένα από τρεις συγχρονικές έρευνες της σειράς “Hellas Health”. Υλικό και Μέθοδος: Αναλύθηκαν δεδομένα από τρεις πανελλαδικές έρευνες. Η Hellas Health I πραγματοποιήθηκε το 2006 (n=1.005), η Hellas Health IΙ το 2008 (n=1.490) και η Hellas Health IV το 2011 (n=1.008). Το δείγμα κάθε έρευνας ήταν αντιπροσωπευτικό του ελληνικού πληθυσμού ως προς την ηλικία και τον τόπο κατοικίας. Ο Δείκτης Μάζας Σώματος (ΔΜΣ) υπολογίστηκε με βάση αυτοαναφερόμενα ύψος και βάρος. Τα στοιχεία για το κάπνισμα, καθώς και για την κατανάλωση φρούτων και λαχανικών ήταν επίσης αυτοαναφερόμενα. Η σωματική δραστηριότητα εκτιμήθηκε με το ερωτηματολόγιο International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), ενώ ο διαχωρισμός σε κοινωνικο-οικονομικά επίπεδα έγινε με την κλίμακα της ESOMAR. Για τη σύγκριση μεταξύ κατηγορικών μεταβλητών χρησιμοποιήθηκε η δοκιμασία χ2. Οι διαχρονικές τάσεις εκτιμήθηκαν με βάση γραμμικούς συντελεστές σε μοντέλα λογιστικής παλινδρόμησης.Αποτελέσματα: Ο επιπολασμός του καπνίσματος στον ενήλικο ελληνικό πληθυσμό ελαττώθηκε από 42,6% σε 38,1% κατά την περίοδο της κρίσης 2008-2011 (p=0,026), όχι όμως μεταξύ 2006 και 2008. Από το 2008 ως το 2011, ο επιπολασμός του καπνίσματος μειώθηκε στο ανώτερο (από 48,9% σε 39,7%) και στο κατώτερο (από 35,9% σε 29,5%) κοινωνικο-οικονομικό επίπεδο, όχι όμως στο μέσο. Ο επιπολασμός της επαρκούς σωματικής δραστηριότητας αυξήθηκε στον γενικό πληθυσμό (από 21,9% το 2006 σε 31,7% το 2011) σε όλες τις κοινωνικο-οικονομικές και δημογραφικές ομάδες, με εξαίρεση την ανώτερη κοινωνική τάξη. Αντίθετα, η επαρκής πρόσληψη φρούτων και λαχανικών μειώθηκε σε στατιστικά σημαντικό βαθμό μεταξύ 2006 και 2011. Μετά το 2008 όμως, η κατανάλωση συνέχισε να μειώνεται μόνο μεταξύ των ατόμων του κατώτερου κοινωνικο-οικονομικού επιπέδου (p=0,055). Ο επιπολασμός της παχυσαρκίας παρέμεινε αμετάβλητος, αλλά σε υψηλά επίπεδα, καθώς σχεδόν ένας στους πέντε ενηλίκους ήταν παχύσαρκος.Συμπεράσματα: Κατά τη διάρκεια της οικονομικής κρίσης, η κατανάλωση φρούτων και λαχανικών μειώθηκε δραματικά, ιδιαίτερα στο κατώτερο κοινωνικο-οικονομικό επίπεδο, ενώ αντίθετα οι τάσεις στον επιπολασμό του καπνίσματος και στα επίπεδα σωματικής δραστηριότητας ήταν ενθαρρυντικές, αν και όχι σε όλο το εύρος του κοινωνικο-οικονομικού φάσματος. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτά δείχνουν ότι η οικονομική κρίση είχε σημαντικό αντίκτυπο στους παράγοντες κινδύνου των καρδιαγγειακών νοσημάτων, ιδίως μεταξύ των περισσότερο ευάλωτων κοινωνικο-οικονομικών ομάδων.

Home position is a robot's pre-defined configuration to which it returns after it has fulfilled its daily tasks. While architecture has ventured far outside its boundaries into more and more experimental technologies in the last decades, it has always remained connected to its own home position or comfort zone. The construction sector - and the affiliated field of architecture - has historically lagged years behind other industries in adopting digital technologies. The fields of robotics, computer science and material engineering have entered architectural research and many architects have embraced new developments with unprecedented openness. One means of tapping into the vast design space of robotic construction is by looking at multi-robotic processes. However, from an architectural perspective, the cooperative robotic process paradoxically increases both the possibilities and the limitations for design. The process design exercise is preceded by a thorough introduction to algorithmic thinking, coding, robotics basics and a custom robotic control tool.

Interpretation Chewing tobacco remains a substantial public health problem in several regions of the world, and predominantly in south Asia. We found little change in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use between 1990 and 2019, and that control efforts have had much larger effects on the prevalence of smoking tobacco use than on chewing tobacco use in some countries. Mitigating the health effects of chewing tobacco requires stronger regulations and policies that specifically target use of chewing tobacco, especially in countries with high prevalence. Findings In 2019, 273 center dot 9 million (95% uncertainty interval 258 center dot 5 to 290 center dot 9) people aged 15 years and older used chewing tobacco, and the global age-standardised prevalence of chewing tobacco use was 4 center dot 72% (4 center dot 46 to 5 center dot 01). 228 center dot 2 million (213 center dot 6 to 244 center dot 7; 83 center dot 29% [82 center dot 15 to 84 center dot 42]) chewing tobacco users lived in the south Asia region. Prevalence among young people aged 15-19 years was over 10% in seven locations in 2019. Although global agestandardised prevalence of smoking tobacco use decreased significantly between 1990 and 2019 (annualised rate of change: -1 center dot 21% [-1 center dot 26 to -1 center dot 16]), similar progress was not observed for chewing tobacco (0 center dot 46% [0 center dot 13 to 0 center dot 79]). Among the 12 highest prevalence countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Sri Lanka, and Yemen), only Yemen had a significant decrease in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use, which was among males between 1990 and 2019 (-0 center dot 94% [-1 center dot 72 to -0 center dot 14]), compared with nine of 12 countries that had significant decreases in the prevalence of smoking tobacco. Among females, none of these 12 countries had significant decreases in prevalence of chewing tobacco use, whereas seven of 12 countries had a significant decrease in the prevalence of tobacco smoking use for the period. Summary Background Chewing tobacco and other types of smokeless tobacco use have had less attention from the global health community than smoked tobacco use. However, the practice is popular in many parts of the world and has been linked to several adverse health outcomes. Understanding trends in prevalence with age, over time, and by location and sex is important for policy setting and in relation to monitoring and assessing commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Methods We estimated prevalence of chewing tobacco use as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 using a modelling strategy that used information on multiple types of smokeless tobacco products. We generated a time series of prevalence of chewing tobacco use among individuals aged 15 years and older from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries and territories, including age-sex specific estimates. We also compared these trends to those of smoked tobacco over the same time period. Findings In 2019, 273 & middot;9 million (95% uncertainty interval 258 & middot;5 to 290 & middot;9) people aged 15 years and older used chewing tobacco, and the global age-standardised prevalence of chewing tobacco use was 4 & middot;72% (4 & middot;46 to 5 & middot;01). 228 & middot;2 million (213 & middot;6 to 244 & middot;7; 83 & middot;29% [82 & middot;15 to 84 & middot;42]) chewing tobacco users lived in the south Asia region. Prevalence among young people aged 15-19 years was over 10% in seven locations in 2019. Although global age standardised prevalence of smoking tobacco use decreased significantly between 1990 and 2019 (annualised rate of change: -1 & middot;21% [-1 & middot;26 to -1 & middot;16]), similar progress was not observed for chewing tobacco (0 & middot;46% [0 & middot;13 to 0 & middot;79]). Among the 12 highest prevalence countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Sri Lanka, and Yemen), only Yemen had a significant decrease in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use, which was among males between 1990 and 2019 (-0 & middot;94% [-1 & middot;72 to -0 & middot;14]), compared with nine of 12 countries that had significant decreases in the prevalence of smoking tobacco. Among females, none of these 12 countries had significant decreases in prevalence of chewing tobacco use, whereas seven of 12 countries had a significant decrease in the prevalence of tobacco smoking use for the period. Interpretation Chewing tobacco remains a substantial public health problem in several regions of the world, and predominantly in south Asia. We found little change in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use between 1990 and 2019, and that control efforts have had much larger effects on the prevalence of smoking tobacco use than on chewing tobacco use in some countries. Mitigating the health effects of chewing tobacco requires stronger regulations and policies that specifically target use of chewing tobacco, especially in countries with high prevalence. For complete list of authors see http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00065-7

Introduction Article 20 of the European Union (EU) Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) sets forth provisions on electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) product regulation, such as child-proof packaging and protection against e-liquid refilling without leakage. The aim of the current study was to examine frequencies and correlates of experiencing undesirable events during e-cigarette use related to e-cigarette product design parameters prior to the implementation of the EU TPD. Material and Methods The EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Wave 1 survey was conducted with adult cigarette smokers from June to September 2016 across Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Spain. Results Among our sample of adult cigarette smokers, one in five reported having ever used e-cigarettes. Prevalence of current e-cigarette use (daily or weekly) was very low (1.5%). Major undesirable events, such as battery exploding or catching fire (1.9%) or overheating (11%) were uncommon. Among those reporting at least monthly use and whose usual/current brand has a tank that you fill with liquids, 18.8% experienced spilling during refill and 18.5% experienced e-liquid leaking during use. Nearly one-quarter reported that the e-liquid cap was easy for a child to open. Conclusions In light of the EU TPD establishing standards around e-cigarette design parameters to mitigate undesirable events and risks during e-cigarette use, these findings further support the need for its implementation, as well as for monitoring undesirable events experienced during e-cigarette use once Article 20 is fully implemented. Acknowledgements EUREST-PLUS is a Horizon2020 project conducted by researchers throughout Europe from both the six participating countries as well as other institution partners within Europe and abroad. Partnering organizations include the European Network on Smoking Prevention (Belgium), Kings College London (United Kingdom), German Cancer Research Centre (Germany), University of Maastricht (The Netherlands), University of Athens (Greece), Aer Pur Romania (Romania), European Respiratory Society (Switzerland), the University of Waterloo (Canada), the Catalan Institute of Oncology (Catalonia, Spain), Smoking or Health Hungarian Foundation (Hungary), Health Promotion Foundation (Poland), University of Crete (Greece), and Kantar Public Brussels (Belgium). Funding The EUREST-PLUS Project takes place with the financial support of the European Commission, Horizon 2020 HCO-6-2015 program (EUREST-PLUS: 681109; C. Vardavas) and the University of Waterloo (GT. Fong). Additional support was provided to the University of Waterloo by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FDN-148477). GT. Fong was supported by a Senior Investigator Grant from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. E. Fernández is partly supported by Ministry of Universities and Research, Government of Catalonia (2017SGR139) and by the Instituto Carlos III and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (INT16/00211 and INT17/00103), Government of Spain.

The landscape of tobacco use has changed in Europe, as a result of tobacco control policies, the introduction of novel products, such as e-cigarettes and the recent Tobacco Products Directive. We analysed data collected through Eurobarometer surveys across all 28 member states of the European Union (EU) in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2017 to assess trends and correlates of tobacco use, smoking cessation and support for tobacco control policies. There is wide variation between EU member states in the prevalence of tobacco and e-cigarette use, as well as in trends of use over time. Overall, manufactured cigarette use has declined, while roll-your-own tobacco and e-cigarette use have increased between 2009 and 2017 in the European Union. The use of different cessation methods also varies between member states and trends are associated with national-level tobacco control policies. Use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation assistance increased, while use of pharmacotherapy and smoking cessation services declined between 2012 and 2017. Individuals living in countries with comprehensive smoking cessation policies were more likely to have used any cessation assistance, pharmacotherapy and smoking cessation services compared with those living in countries with weak smoking cessation policies. In general, countries with more comprehensive tobacco control have performed better in a series of indicators, including use of evidence-based cessation methods, exposure to tobacco advertising and second-hand smoke. Finally, although support for tobacco control is high among EU citizens, the level of support is associated with tobacco and e-cigarette use, with ever and current users less likely to support tobacco control policies, as well as with general political views. Our research provides insights into differences among EU member states and can inform future policies. Funding This work was supported by a grant from the European Commission (Horizon2020 HCO-6-2015; EUREST-PLUS: 681109).

Introduction The current study explores quitting behaviours and use of cessation assistance among adult tobacco users with probable anxiety or depression (PAD) and in six European (EU) Member States (MS). Material and Methods The EUREST-PLUS ITC Wave 1 Europe Survey was conducted with a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of 6,011 adult cigarette smokers from six European Union (EU) Member States (MS) (Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Spain) in 2016. Results Our study found that one in five smokers sampled from six EU MS had a diagnosis, treatment or positive screen for anxiety or depression, with rates of PAD varying between EU MS. Results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that respondents with PAD were more likely to have made a quit attempt in the last 12 months (AOR 1.75; 95%CI 1.45-2.11), compared to respondents without PAD. Among those respondents with PAD who used support the most frequently reported quit method was prescription-based quit smoking pharmacotherapy (15.4%) followed by e-cigarettes (13.7%) and NRT (11.3%). Person-to-person behavioral support (i.e. local quit services, face-to-face advice from a doctor or other health care professional, telephone or quitline services) was reported significantly more frequently among respondents with PAD compared to those without PAD. Conclusions Given both pharmacological and non-pharmacological quit smoking aids have been shown to be safe, acceptable and effective for people with and without mental illness it is important that their use be promoted among smokers with anxiety and depression alongside behavioral counseling. Our findings support the need for interventions targeting health care professionals in providing smoking cessation assistance among this population of smokers. Acknowledgements EUREST-PLUS is a Horizon2020 project conducted by researchers throughout Europe from both the six participating countries as well as other institution partners within Europe and abroad. Partnering organizations include the European Network on Smoking Prevention (Belgium), Kings College London (United Kingdom), German Cancer Research Centre (Germany), University of Maastricht (The Netherlands), University of Athens (Greece), Aer Pur Romania (Romania), European Respiratory Society (Switzerland), the University of Waterloo (Canada), the Catalan Institute of Oncology (Catalonia, Spain), Smoking or Health Hungarian Foundation (Hungary), Health Promotion Foundation (Poland), University of Crete (Greece), and Kantar Public Brussels (Belgium). Funding The EUREST-PLUS Project takes place with the financial support of the European Commission, Horizon 2020 HCO-6-2015 program (EUREST-PLUS: 681109; C. Vardavas) and the University of Waterloo (GT. Fong). Additional support was provided to the University of Waterloo by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FDN-148477). GT. Fong was supported by a Senior Investigator Grant from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. E. Fernández is partly supported by Ministry of Universities and Research, Government of Catalonia (2017SGR139) and by the Instituto Carlos III and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (INT16/00211 and INT17/00103), Government of Spain.

Background. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in Saudi Arabia. Saudi women in particular are more susceptible as there are sociocultural restrictions on female physical activities that may lead to high prevalence of CVD risks, especially obesity, and physical inactivity. This study aims to systematically review the published articles related to the prevalence of CVD risk among women in Saudi Arabia. The search strategy covers all published articles that assess the risk factor of CVD in Saudi Arabia from January 2000 to December 2015, using the following sources: Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO. A total of 61 studies were included. Results. Prevalence among Saudi women of smoking ranged from 1.1% to 9.1%, hypertension was 21.8%, diabetes ranged from 9.6% to 27.6%, overweight was 27%, and obesity was 40.23%, and physical inactivity ranged from 53.2% to 98.1%. Hypercholesterolemia prevalence on Saudi women on average was 24.5%, while metabolic syndrome ranged from 13.6% to 40.3%. Conclusion. The prevalence of CVD risk factors is high among women in Saudi Arabia especially in obesity and physical inactivity. Public health authorities must implement solutions from a gender specific aspect to reverse the trend and decrease the prevalence of CVDs among Saudi women.