Prevalence and Associated Factors of Smoking Pattern Among Adult Women and Men in Nepal: Evidence From Demographic and Health Survey 2022

ABSTRACT Introduction Smoking in Nepal poses significant public health challenges linked to chronic cardiovascular and respiratory disease and socioeconomic consequences. This study aims to examine the prevalence and associated factors of smoking patterns among Nepali adults using national representative data. Methods The secondary data from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022 were the source of data for analysis. A complex sample analysis was conducted to accommodate the stratified and cluster design used in the survey with sampling weights. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify significant predictors. Results The prevalence of smoking patterns was 3.8% among 14,845 women and 28.0% among 4,913 men. Among women from Karnali province (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.144; p = 0.007), Janajati (AOR = 4.080; p = 0.003), women with no education (AOR = 3.705; p = 0.000), the 35–49 age group (AOR = 18.258; p = 0.000), and alcohol users (AOR = 2.808; p = 0.000), similarly, among men from Koshi (AOR = 1.881; p = 0.000), Dalit (AOR = 1.402; p = 0.030), men with basic education (AOR = 1.704; p = 0.001), the 20–34 age group (AOR = 1.597; p = 0.002), those engaged in nonagriculture (AOR = 2.430; p = 0.000), and alcohol users (AOR = 3.236; p = 0.000) were found more likely to smoke compared to their corresponding reference categories. Conclusions Smoking among adults in Nepal is shaped by structural and sociocultural factors, such as province, caste/ethnic groups, educational attainment, occupational status, age and alcohol consumption. The difference between women and men reveals the necessity of equity‐oriented smoking control program and strategies that address the structural and sociocultural factors of smoking on the higher level and promote smoking cessation through combination with public health and social development programs.