Tobacco-Related Disparities in Specific Populations

Research

Predictors of tobacco outlet density nationwide: A geographic analysis
In a recent study published in Tobacco Control, researchers conducted a nationwide assessment of the association between sociodemographic indicators and the density of tobacco retail outlets across the U.S. Specifically, they looked by census tract at urban/rural location, proportion of the population that was Black and Hispanic, women with low education levels, as well as other sociodemographic factors. They found that urban locations were more likely to have a higher tobacco retail outlet density than rural areas. Tobacco outlet density was positively associated with larger proportions of blacks, Hispanics, women with low levels of education, and smaller household size. The authors suggest that tobacco retail locations are more concentrated in areas where people with negative health outcomes reside, and that future studies should look into the association between tobacco retail outlet density and smoking, smoking cessation, and disease rates. Click here to read more.

Socioeconomic disparities in community-based treatment of tobacco dependence
A new study shows that smokers with fewer financial resources have a more difficult time with smoking cessation compared to those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. The researchers provided cognitive-behavioral treatment and nicotine patches in a tobacco dependence treatment program between 2005 and 2008, and examined treatment use and outcome differences by SES at the end of treatment, 3 months post-treatment, and 6 months post-treatment. After 3 months, smokers with a higher SES had 55% higher odds of not smoking after treatment than lower SES smokers, and the odds increased to 2.5 times greater after 6 months. The researchers suggest that cessation treatment for low SES groups include more treatment content, strategies to address clinical and environmental challenges and longer-term support. They also note that the stress of daily life and lack of smoke-free policies in the home contribute to the disparity in quit rates, and could be targeted by future cessation interventions. Click here to read more, or click here to read the abstract in the American Journal of Public Health.

Cost of smoking and policy strategies for California American Indian communities (CA)
American Indians have a higher prevalence of smoking than other Californians, which results in higher healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality due to tobacco related chronic disease, suggests an analysis reported in the Journal of Cancer Education. The authors used data from the California Health Interview Survey to examine the relative impact of smoking through the use of behavioral and demographic characteristics to predict the economic costs on American Indians. Based on their findings, the authors call for public health action by community leaders in Indian Country and nationwide in order to protect future generations from health implications that can result from smoking. Click here to read the study abstract.

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Reports

Family Dollar Store Campaign: "There is nothing family friendly about selling tobacco"
Break Free Alliance and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids are collaborating on an effort to put a stop to Family Dollar Store’s recent decision to start selling cigarettes in their stores. Their “Family Dollar Values” website notes that, “as retailers across the nation remove tobacco products from their shelves to end any association with the death and disease that comes with tobacco use, Family Dollar bucks the trend and embraces Big Tobacco with open arms. This is bad for families and it's bad for the communities Family Dollar serves.” Click here to read Break Free Alliance’s blog post about the campaign, or click here to download a flyer that can be shared with partners and includes talking points. On the familydollarvalues.com website, anyone can send a message to Family Dollar’s CEO, communicate with the company through social media, and learn more about this campaign.

Emerging Promising Practices fact sheets from the National Latino Tobacco Control Network
The National Latino Tobacco Control Network (NLTCN) has released a series of fact sheets on emerging best practices for preventing tobacco use in Latino communities. Topics include: Smoke-Free Latino Soccer Leagues; Achieving a Smoke-Free San Antonio; Smoke-Free Latino Businesses in Indiana; and Mobilizing Faith Communities in Support of Tobacco Control Policies. Click here to view a list of the Promising Practices fact sheets.

Health Promotion Practice call for papers
The journal Health Promotion Practice has issued a call for papers for a special theme issue highlighting successful strategies and promising practices to support and sustain the reduction in tobacco use of Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders. Manuscripts are due May 1, 2012. Click here to learn more.

The Leadership and Advocacy Institute to Advance Minnesota's Parity for Priority Populations (LAAMPP III Institute) (MN)
LAAMPP is an innovative, cross-cultural leadership Institute that aims to eliminate commercial tobacco and other health-related disparities among priority populations in Minnesota through culturally tailored training, capacity building, advocacy and leadership development. LAAMPP’s mission is to build capacity for effective tobacco control with a focus on adults (18 years and older) working with priority populations. Priority populations are defined here as the African/African-American, American Indian, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Chicano/Latino, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities. The LAAMPP III Institute will run September 2012 through March 2014. Click here for more information and application requirements, or click here to download an application form. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2012.

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International

TReND publishes supplement on Tobacco-related inequalities in low- and middle-income countries
The National Cancer Institute and the Tobacco Research Network on Disparities (TReND) have announced the release of Research to Reduce Global Tobacco Inequalities, a special supplement to the journal Cancer Causes and Control. This supplement includes eleven new studies focusing on the burden of tobacco-related inequalities in low- and middle-income countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Click here to learn more.

Is the socioeconomic gap in childhood exposure to secondhand smoke widening or narrowing? (Australia)
A new study found that exposure to indoor smoking among children living in households that contain a smoker is declining in all groups besides those with the lowest socioeconomic status. The authors used data from a national survey between 2001 and 2010, and determined household socioeconomic status, whether homes contained a smoker and/or a child less than fifteen years of age. Results showed that the proportion of Australian households containing a child under fifteen and a smoker decreased by 22%, however, no changes were found among disadvantaged households. The authors feel that the study illustrates the need for increasing public awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke. For the study abstract in Tobacco Control, click here.

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