Abstract: Objective To understand the current situation and correlation between health literacy and current smoking behavior among residents in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, and provide a reference for health promotion interventions and tobacco control. Methods Using the multi-stage stratified random sampling method, the health literacy of permanent residents aged 15-69 years in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, was monitored from July to September 2020, and the socio-demographic characteristics, health literacy, and smoking behavior of residents were investigated. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis methods were used to analyze the correlation between health literacy and current smoking behavior. Results Among the 2 553 subjects, the total health literacy level was 31.57%, and the current smoking rate was 20.52%. There were significant differences in current smoking rates among respondents in terms of gender, age group, marital status, educational level, occupation, annual family income, and chronic diseases （all P<0.01）. The current smoking rate among those with total health literacy, three aspects, and six types of health literacy problems was lower than those without （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that women （all OR<1,95%CI<1）, college/bachelor's degree or above （all OR<1,95%CI<1）, students （all OR<1,95%CI<1）, those with total health literacy （OR=0.713,95% CI:0.542~0.937）, and health concept basic knowledge and literacy （OR=0.715,95% CI:0.530~0.964） were less likely to current smoke, and those with other occupation （OR=2.384,95% CI:1.006~5.654） were more likely to current smoke. Conclusion Smoking behavior is associated with the level of health literacy among residents. To reduce the smoking rate, we need to carry out in-depth health education on the harm of smoking and improve the level of health literacy.

Key words: Health literacy, Tobacco use, Cross-sectional study, Correlation