Background:
Tobacco use is one of the main modifiable risk factors for premature mortality and various noncommunicable diseases. In addition, smoking can negatively impact a woman’s fertility, lead to pregnancy complications and affect fetal health.

Introduction:
A significant portion of women of reproductive age in Europe are current smokers. This study aims to evaluate the sociodemographic factors that are associated with smoking among women of reproductive age in the European Union (EU).

Methods:
A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from the Special Eurobarometer 539 cross-sectional survey. We included 6.367 randomly selected women of reproductive age (18-49 years old) from 27 EU Member States (EU MS). We performed a two-level logistic regression model in order to assess the association between current smoking and various sociodemographic factors.

Results:
Results Across 27 EU MS, 25.8% (95% CI: 24.0-27.6) of women of reproductive age are current smokers, 14.5 (95% CI: 13.2- 16.0) are past smokers and 59.6 (95% CI: 57.6-61.5) have never smoked. Women who completed full time education older than 20 years old (aOR= 0.64; 95% CI: 0.47-0.87) and the ones who are still studying (aOR=0.49; 95% CI: 0.33-0.73) were less likely to be current smokers. Conversely, unemployed women (aOR=1.19; 95% CI: 1.01-1.64), women who live in urban centers (aOR=1.29; 95% CI: 1.13-1.47) and the ones who face difficulties paying their bills (aOR=1.65; 95% CI: 1.45-1.87) were more likely to be current smokers.

Conclusion:
Overall, years spent in full time education, financial status, area of residence, and employment status are associated with the likelihood of currently smoking in women of reproductive age in 27 EU MS. These findings can contribute in designing future smoking cessation and tobacco prevention interventions targeting this demographic group.