Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health

Smoking, Drinking and Cold Temperature

Abstract

Shigeru Suna

Background: The Japanese archipelago is widely distributed from north to south. In recent years, smoking rates have been
decreasing throughout Japan, but smoking rates tend to be higher in colder regions. This study attempted to clarify the
relationship between smoking and drinking rates and cold temperatures by examining the relationship between smoking and
drinking rates and annual average temperatures by prefecture.
Methods: The values were downloaded from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and e-Stat; a portal site for Japanese
Government Statistics.
Results and Discussion: Results showed a significant negative correlation between the average temperature and the rates of
drinking and smoking, and a significant positive correlation between the rates of smoking and drinking. Multiple regression
analysis suggested that lower outdoor temperatures may have a stronger effect on drinking rates than smoking rates. Higher
drinking rates in the north may be due to the colder climate and shorter daylight hours. Drinking has also been reported to
induce smoking, which may explain the higher smoking rates in colder regions.

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