Tobacco-Related Disparities in Specific Populations

Research

New menthol journal supplement underscores need for federal action
The journal Addiction has released a supplementary issue dedicated to research and commentaries about menthol in tobacco products. The special issue was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and includes eleven new studies regarding the prevalence of menthol cigarette use, cessation success among menthol smokers, and factors contributing to smoking and quitting smoking menthols. The studies show that menthol cigarette smoking disproportionally affects African Americans, women, younger people, the unemployed, and those with lower levels of education. Additionally, menthol smokers, especially African Americans and Hispanics, are less likely to succeed in quit attempts. The researchers believe the supplement, in conjunction with existing studies, will provide the evidence FDA needs to ban menthol cigarettes. Click here to read more, or click here to view the table of contents for Special Issue: The Role of Mentholated Cigarettes in Smoking Behaviors in United States Populations. Related: FDA advisers renew review on whether to ban menthol cigarettes As part of ongoing efforts to determine whether to ban menthol flavoring in cigarettes, the FDA Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee met on November 18 to discuss the impact of menthol cigarettes on public health. Researchers hired by Lorillard, the manufacturer of Newport cigarettes, presented their position to the committee, stating that banning menthol cigarettes will likely create a large black market and have a minimal effect on overall smoking rates. Click here for a general overview of the review of menthol flavoring in cigarettes, or click here to read about Lorillard's report to FDA. General information and materials from the FDA committee meetings, including a webcast of the November 18 meeting, are available here.

Smoking characteristics of adults with selected lifetime mental illnesses: Results from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health indicates that the prevalence of smoking is significantly higher among individuals with particular mental illnesses than among the general population and individuals with other mental illnesses. Researchers used data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to examine smoking prevalence, frequency, intensity, and cessation attempts among 23,393 adults screened as having serious psychological distress and persons self-reporting bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity, dementia, or phobias or fears. The results showed that the prevalence of current smoking among adults with mental illness ranged from 34.3% (phobias or fears) to 59.1% (schizophrenia), compared with 18.3% of adults without mental illness. The amount of cessation attempts among persons with mental illness was equivalent to attempts among those without mental illnesses or distress, but those with mental illness were less likely to succeed in quitting. Read the abstract of the study here.

A comprehensive model for mental health tobacco recovery in New Jersey
A recent paper in Administration and Policy in Mental Health outlines a comprehensive model designed to improve access to tobacco cessation treatment for smokers with serious mental illness. The initiatives within the model address the two core goals of the model: to increase demand for cessation treatment, and to help more smokers with mental illness to quit. The model includes the following strategies and initiatives: provide integrated clinical treatment, engage smokers, make changes to the healthcare environment that are conducive to cessation, educate mental health professionals in evidence-based services, provide peer support, raise awareness about the inequities of tobacco use, and increase access to tobacco cessation medications. The initiatives in the model have been tested for feasibility and effectiveness, and the authors hope that this approach will serve as a model for other states. Click here to read the abstract.

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Reports

Racial/ethnic disparities and geographic differences in lung cancer incidence - 38 states and the District of Columbia, 1998—2006
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) that describes an analysis of lung cancer incidence among racial and ethnic groups by U.S. census region. The CDC used data from the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program to track new lung cancer cases representative of 80% of the U.S. population. The data showed that lung cancer incidence per 100,000 was highest among blacks (76.1) and whites (69.7). Regionally, the lung cancer incidence per 100,000 was highest in the South (76.0). Incidence rates varied among racial/ethnic groups by region; for example, the highest incidence among whites was in the South (76.3 per 100,000), while the highest incidence for blacks, American Indians/Alaska Natives, and Hispanics were in the Midwest (88.9, 64.2, and 40.6 per 100,000, respectively). The CDC notes that variations in lung cancer incidence among racial/ethnic groups are likely are influenced by differences in smoking prevalence, and that tobacco control efforts to prevent initiation and increase cessation have been effective in narrowing the race-based disparity among young adult smokers. Click here to read more.

New Legacy report on low SES populations
In early November, Legacy disseminated a report entitled Tobacco Control in Low SES Populations. The report seeks to call attention to the issues of concentrated, highly prevalent tobacco use — as well as limited access to and use of effective prevention and cessation resources in low-SES populations — and explore promising, evidence-based practices to address these tobacco-related disparities. This publication features five case studies of promising projects that demonstrate how organizations across America are addressing the issue of tobacco use in low SES populations. The states featured in the report are: Washington, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey (and Indian Health Services). A PDF of the report is available online here.

Break Free Alliance's repository of resources on tobacco control and low SES populations
The Break Free Alliance has announced that a new resource, a repository of resources on tobacco control and low socioeconomic status (low SES) populations, is available on its website. The new repository section allows users to search for reports, research articles, publications and more. A new directory within the repository contains listings for those who have expertise in working on tobacco control issues affecting low SES populations and/or expertise in topic areas pertaining to low SES populations. Click here to visit the repository. To suggest additions to the repository, send an email with "Break Free Post" in the subject line.

Butt out: Homelessness & smoking cessation
A recent report from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council discusses ways that clinicians and others that work with homeless individuals can help them quit smoking. The report addresses challenges and barriers associated with smoking cessation among homeless smokers, such as myths about their interest in quitting, tobacco industry marketing, transience, and treatment costs. It also provides ways to incorporate evidence-based behavioral counseling, nonpharmacologic treatment, and pharmacologic therapies into programs for the homeless. The needs of special populations, including psychiatric patients, veterans, and youth are also mentioned. Click here to read the report.

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