Tobacco-Related Disparities in Specific Populations

Research

Associations of discrimination and violence with smoking among emerging adults: Differences by gender and sexual orientation
A recent study sought to examine reasons behind the disparately high prevalence of smoking among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations. Data from the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 National College Health Assessment were analyzed to determine the number of violent victimization and discrimination events that sexual minorities and heterosexual individuals experienced, as well as disparities in smoking rates between the groups. The results show that heterosexuals were less likely to experience violence compared to sexual minorities, and LGB individuals who did experience victimization were more likely to smoke than LGB individuals who were not in altercations. The authors suggest that future studies should examine the interaction between victimization and smoking cessation. Click here to read the abstract of the study in Nicotine and Tobacco Research.

Successful implementation of a wellness and tobacco cessation curriculum in psychosocial rehabilitation clubhouses
According to a study published in BMC Public Health, mental health rehabilitation houses may be an important venue to implement tobacco cessation curricula. Researchers surveyed clients of mental health clubhouses who participated in a cessation curriculum to determine the impact that the curriculum had on participants’ attitudes toward cessation. The findings revealed that the curriculum was successfully implemented and appreciated, and that participants were open to tobacco-free policies and would be willing to discuss tobacco cessation with a healthcare provider. The authors suggest that tobacco cessation programs be implemented at mental health facilities to help address the high prevalence of tobacco use in this population. Read more here and read the study abstract here.

top

Reports

New CDC report: Current cigarette smoking prevalence among working adults–United States, 2004-2010
A new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that there are large disparities in smoking prevalence among American adults across industry and occupation groups. For example, smoking is lowest in the education services industry (9.7%) and highest in the mining and food services industries (30.0%). Similar results were found when looking at individuals’ occupations. By occupation, smoking is lowest among adults with education, training and library jobs (8.7%) and highest among those in construction and extraction jobs (31.4%). The authors note that employer interventions to reduce smoking can improve employee health, decrease absenteeism, and reduce utilization of healthcare resources. Evidence-based interventions include 100% smoke-free workplace policies, easily accessible help for those who want to quit, and health insurance with little or no co-payment for cessation treatments. Click here to view the report. Click here for information on engaging employers in tobacco control, or click here to access materials from a recent webinar from Legacy and the Partnership for Prevention on Engaging Employers in Tobacco Control.

New fact sheet on tobacco cessation for people with mental illness or substance use
A fact sheet from the Center for Tobacco Cessation at the University of California, San Diego provides information on smoking prevalence, comorbidity, and mortality among persons with mental illness and substance use. It presents facts debunking longstanding myths that have hampered cessation efforts with these populations. Click here to access the fact sheet.

New fact sheet: LGBT People and Tobacco
The new fact sheet from The Network for LGBT Health Equity contains facts regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and tobacco such as the following: LGBT communities are severely impacted by tobacco use; tobacco companies target LGBT populations, compromising work against a major health threat; negative health impacts of tobacco continue to be underestimated; reasons for the disparity; and LGBT people want clean indoor air. Click here to view the new fact sheet.

top

Back to Table of Contents