Tobacco-Related Disparities in Specific Populations

Research

Sexual orientation–related differences in tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among U.S. adults aged 20 to 59 years
A new study in the American Journal of Public Health uses data from the 2003-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys to look at sexual orientation-related differences in tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure (SHS) among U.S. adults. The researchers surveyed 11,744 adults aged 20 to 59 years and recorded their sexual orientation, tobacco use, and SHS exposure. The study findings show lesbian and bisexual women had higher rates of tobacco use compared to heterosexual women. Similarly, nonsmoking lesbians had higher exposure to SHS compared to heterosexual women. Researchers also found significantly lower SHS workplace exposure among nonsmoking gay men compared to heterosexual men. Results of the study echo a study in the May 2013 issue of Nicotine & Tobacco Research showing tobacco use is more prevalent among young adults who self-identify as sexual minorities compared with those who identify as heterosexuals. Click here to read more about tobacco use by sexual identity, or click here to view the study abstract.

Impact of tobacco control interventions on socioeconomic inequalities in smoking: review of the evidence
A study in Tobacco Control finds that increasing tobacco prices through excise taxes is the most effective intervention to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in smoking. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh updated a systematic literature review examining the impact of tobacco control interventions on socioeconomic inequalities in smoking. They examined the literature on the impact of price increases, smoke-free policies, advertising bans, mass media campaigns, warning labels on packaging, smoking cessation support, and community-based programs. Strong evidence shows that increased tobacco prices have a pro-equity effect on socioeconomic disparities and non-targeted smoking cessation programs have a negative equity impact. Evidence regarding the effect of other interventions on socioeconomic inequalities in smoking was inconclusive. The authors suggest that more research evaluating the equity impact of tobacco control measures is needed. Click here to view the study abstract.

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Reports

New guide: Policies and procedures for tobacco-free substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities
The Wisconsin Nicotine Treatment Integration Project (WiNTiP) and the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI) recently published a guide titled, “Policies and procedures for tobacco-free facilities and services in Wisconsin’s substance abuse and mental health treatment programs.” The resource provides comprehensive guidance to mental health/substance abuse treatment programs and Wisconsin governing bodies about implementing tobacco-free treatment settings, and is designed to benefit both inpatient/residential and outpatient treatment settings. The guide promotes tobacco-free treatment settings through three aims: providing evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment to every patient who uses tobacco; establishing tobacco free policies; and, providing appropriate assistance to staff who currently use tobacco. Click here to view the guide.

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