This study determined the smoking rate in the urban population of Rafsanjan, Islamic Republic of Iran, in a random community sample of 491 adults (247 males and 244 females) aged > 20 years. The overall prevalence of current smoking (1+ cigarettes per day) was 24.2%; 38.5% in males and 9.8% in females. The mean number of cigarettes consumed per day was 12.1 [standard deviation (SD 8.6)]; 13.6 (SD 8.9) in men and 6.5 (SD 4.5) in women. The prevalence and mean number of cigarettes smoked per day increased significantly in older age groups.