Tobacco-Related Disparities in Specific Populations

Research

Gender, race, and education differences in abstinence rates among participants in two randomized smoking cessation trials
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research indicates that women, blacks, and less-educated smokers are more likely to fail in their attempts to quit smoking. Researchers analyzed data from 2,850 participants enrolled in two large cessation clinical trials to determine cessation rates and responses to several types of treatment (nicotine patch with or without bupropion, nicotine lozenge with or without bupropion, and bupropion alone). The results show that men, whites, and more educated smokers were most likely to successfully quit smoking. Additionally, women and the less educated benefited more from a combination of therapies than from monotherapy. The authors state that more research is needed to develop more effective pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for these groups. Click here to read the study abstract.

"But it just has that sort of feel about it, a leper"—Stigma, smoke-free legislation and public health
Researchers have found that smokers in Scotland perceive smoke-free policies as increasing the stigmatization of smoking. The qualitative study used repeat in-depth interviews to gather information from forty current and former smokers from both socioeconomically advantaged and disadvantaged localities. Smokers reported feeling stigmatized by being separated from non-smokers, and also that they felt a loss of social status in public places. To reduce feelings of stigmatization, smokers reported not smoking outside, decreasing social outings, projecting shame onto other smokers, and acknowledging the benefits of smoke-free environments. The authors suggest that these unintended consequences should be considered when implementing tobacco control strategies to support stigmatized smokers while maintaining smoke-free environments. Read the abstract of the study, published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.

Journal supplement: “Smoking, Tobacco Exposure, and Pregnancy”
The April 2010 issue of the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica is a special thematic issue on tobacco exposure during pregnancy, with an emphasis on research priorities and the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries. The special issue follows a 2008 expert meeting organized by the Global Network for Perinatal and Reproductive Health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. National Cancer Institute. It includes more than 20 scientific contributions, as well as a guest editorial from the new head of WHO in Europe, Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab. The overarching message of the supplement is that increasing tobacco use among women in low- and middle countries threatens to undermine hard-won improvements in maternal and child health, and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. For six months, the articles in the supplement are available for free. Click here to view the Table of Contents.

LGBT & Tobacco Peer Review Publications through March 2010
The National LGBT Tobacco Control Network recently updated its annotated bibliography of LGBT tobacco research. This document highlights over 140 articles on the topic. Click here to download a copy of the bibliography, or click here to peruse the network’s library of resources and publications on LGBTs and tobacco.

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Reports

Expert panel makes recommendations on addressing tobacco use in homeless populations
On October 21, 2009 the Break Free Alliance gathered over twenty researchers, policy makers, tobacco control administrators and service providers to develop targeted recommendations on tobacco policy and programming initiatives to reduce tobacco use among homeless persons. Policy recommendations, prioritized state, local and social service-based cessation interventions, as well as research priorities are highlighted in a comprehensive report of the panel’s findings. Critical factors for achieving success, challenges, and solutions are also identified, and remaining research questions outlined. View the full report or access other publications from the Break Free Alliance.

Out of the Shadows: Women and Lung Cancer
A new report on women and lung cancer has been released by the Mary Horrigan Connors Center for Women's Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Americans, but the disease develops and progresses differently between men and women. The report discusses gender differences in lung cancer risk, progression, and survival; tobacco use as a risk factor; tobacco marketing to women; and racial and ethnic disparities in lung cancer risk. The report summarizes existing research on sex differences in lung cancer, identifies gaps in the research, and suggests priority areas for future research. Read more here, or click here to download the full report.

“Celebrating Smokefree Voices" YouTube video contest
The National Cancer Institute’s Smokefree Women team has launched “Celebrating Smokefree Voices,” a YouTube video contest, to capture the variety of quitting experiences and reasons for quitting smoking among women and their friends and families across the U.S. The contest launched in May on the one-year anniversary of http://women.smokefree.gov. All video entries must be submitted by June 11, 2010 along with the required video entry form. Contest winners will be announced on July 2, 2010, right before Independence Day, to celebrate freedom (or “independence”) from smoking. Click here to view the call for submissions video, or click here to download a flyer to help the NCI advertise the contest.

New Mexico’s progress in collecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health data and its implications for addressing health disparities (NM)
Published by the New Mexico Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Program, this is the first report in New Mexico to examine numerous health indicators by sexual orientation. These data provide new insight into health inequities between LGB and straight adults. Compared to straight adults, LGB adults have significantly increased rates of tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, suicidal attempts and ideation, depression, intimate partner violence, obesity, asthma, and life dissatisfaction. In addition, the report addresses the implications of lack of youth sexual orientation data in the state and a discussion of the role of social determinants of health. The report also provides recommendations that can be used by partners to help improve the health and well-being of LGBTQ communities. Click here to download the full report.

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