Coker, BolajiQusty, Jomana2023-12-262023-12-262023-08-30https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14154/70433Background: Smoking’s impact on public health, especially physical well-being, is well- documented. However, its connection to educational outcomes is increasingly recognized; still, in England, this relationship requires more in-depth study. Aim: This secondary analysis of the Health Survey for England 2019 aimed to investigate the link between smoking habits and educational attainment among adults in England, considering their distribution according to gender. Method: This cross-sectional study used the HSE 2019 dataset of 8204 participants aged 16-75+, 3674 males and 4530 females. The independent variables were age, and smoking-related variables (current use of cigars/pipes, cigarette smoking status, and e-cigarette/vaping device use). The dependent variable was educational attainment, categorized as no qualification, below degree, degree or equivalent, and postgraduate. Two ordinal regression models were conducted. The first model considered gender as an independent variable, while the data for the second model was stratified by gender. Results: Most participants were aged 35-54. Although females made up 55.2% of the cohort, gender did not significantly affect educational qualifications (Chi-square, p-value=0.549). Chi-square tests showed significant relationships between educational qualifications and cigar/pipe smoking (p < 0.001), cigarette smoking (p < 0.001), and e-cigarette/vaping habits (p < 0.001). Those with a degree or equivalent, or postgraduate education started smoking later (18.4 years) than those with no qualification (16.98 years), or below degree (16.8 years) and the difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001). Ordinal regression showed that younger age groups have significantly higher odds of progressing in educational attainment when compared to the 75+ age group, with all age groups being statistically significant (p < 0.001). Notably, individuals who have never smoked cigarettes exhibit a statistically significant 3.683 times higher odds of advancing in education compared to current cigarettes smoking. Those who have never smoked cigars/pipes have lower odds of achieving a higher education than current smokers (OR: 0.556, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.82). Additionally, past e-cigarettes smokers show a statistically significant lower education odds (OR: 0.848, 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.98). Upon stratifying the data by gender, the regression model showed that all age groups have higher education odds than the 75+ group, with females surpassing males. Males who have never smoked cigars/pipes have decreased educational odds than current smokers (OR:0.499, 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.77). Non-cigarette and past smokers of both genders have significantly higher educational odds than current smokers (p< 0.001). Females who have tried e- cigarettes or vaping devices in the past have decreased odds of educational attainment than those who have never tried them (OR: 0.792, 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.97). Conclusion: This study shows an association between education and smoking while adjusting for gender and age. Younger generations prefer e-cigarettes. Anti-smoking campaigns, early education, gender-specific interventions, youth-focused e-cigarette regulation, and collaborative efforts for holistic strategies are essential to address these patterns effectively. Further research should include socio-economic, cultural, and peer-related factors for a more nuanced understanding.72en-USEducational attainmentEducationSmokingCigaretteHealth Survey for EnglandThesis