Alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and subjective health in Korean elderly men

The purpose of the study was to investigate the level of alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, and subjective health in elderly Korean men and to examine the relationships among those variables. The data were collected through the questionnaire that includes general characteristics, the quantity-frequency (Q-F) method, and the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ) scale. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was 65.2%, and 28.7% represented heavier drinkers. The prevalence of smoking was 47.0%. Among the smokers, 17.1% elderly men reported nicotine dependence in the medium range. Forty-six percent of subjects reported their health as poor or fair. In conclusion, alcohol drinking and smoking were prevalent among Korean elderly men. These findings show the need to improve strategies for educating elderly men and motivating them to incorporate healthy behaviors.