Distinct Beliefs, Attitudes, and Experiences of Latino Smokers: Relevance for Cessation Interventions

Abstract

Purpose Determine the extent to which Latino smokers are using effective interventions for smoking cessation, with particular focus on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Related aims were to explore cultural, attitudinal, knowledge, and socioeconomic variables associated with treatment use. Design Cross-sectional telephone survey of two groups of Colorado adult smokers: Latinos (n = 1010) and non-Latino whites (n = 519). Setting Colorado. Methods Computer-assisted telephone survey in either Spanish or English. Survey addressed sociodemographic variables; smoking and cessation history; knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about smoking and quitting; and experiences in and attitudes toward the health care setting. Participants Latino and non-Latino white adult Colorado residents who reported being regular smokers. Results Colorado Latinos report using NRT substantially less often than do non-Latino whites residing in the state. This and other differences in the study were more pronounced in Latinos characterized as low acculturation on the basis of a language preference variable. Latinos smoke somewhat less than non-Latino whites and report lower levels of dependence. They appear to be motivated to quit but endorse attitudes and beliefs antithetical to NRT use. Health care access was lower among Latinos, and this was related to lower reports of lifetime NRT use. Receipt of recommended practitioner intervention (the “five As”) did not differ by ethnicity. Conclusions Results suggested that use of effective cessation interventions among Latinos may be enhanced by education about nicotine addiction and NRT. Policy change to increase health care access also showed promise.

Smokers’ Understandings of Addiction to Nicotine and Tobacco: A Systematic Review and Interpretive Synthesis of Quantitative and Qualitative Research

“…37 Several studies asked participants to provide ratings of both their own addiction to cigarettes, and the general addictiveness of tobacco/cigarettes. 40,49,52,53 Other aspects of smoking included: the ease/difficulty of quitting; 38,41,43,44,46 the addictiveness of tobacco compared to other drugs; 34,40,49 and the extent to which they believed addiction was a reason for their smoking. 42,45 In many cases, participants' perceptions of addiction were not the major focus of the study, however, ratings of addiction were included as a relevant variable.…”

“…The included studies consistently found that the majority of smokers agreed that smoking is addictive 32,34,36,37 or that 'smokers' in general are addicted. 33,40,42,53 The single study that asked whether people who smoke are addicted to nicotine found that 89% Latino participants and 94% non-Latino Whites agreed with the statement. 53 When asked whether they personally were addicted, most adult daily smokers reported that they were.…”

“…33,40,42,53 The single study that asked whether people who smoke are addicted to nicotine found that 89% Latino participants and 94% non-Latino Whites agreed with the statement. 53 When asked whether they personally were addicted, most adult daily smokers reported that they were. 39,52,53 Adolescent smokers were less likely than adults to agree that they personally were addicted, 32,52 but most agreed that smoking was addictive, 34,36,41 and that quitting would be difficult.…”

“…53 When asked whether they personally were addicted, most adult daily smokers reported that they were. 39,52,53 Adolescent smokers were less likely than adults to agree that they personally were addicted, 32,52 but most agreed that smoking was addictive, 34,36,41 and that quitting would be difficult. 35 Other groups who were less likely to report being addicted to smoking were Hispanics in US studies 46,49,53 and lighter or "occasional" smokers.…”

The biomedicalisation of smoking cessation: a mixed methods study of lay perspectives on nicotine addiction

“…Studies have asked about addiction to tobacco (Carpenter et al, 2009;Hughes, 2009;Okoli, Richardson, Ratner, & Johnson, 2009), to smoking (Levinson et al, 2007;Martin, 1990), and to cigarettes (Stippekohl et al, 2012;Torchalla, Okoli, Malchy, & Johnson, 2011;Weinstein, Slovic, & Gibson, 2004). Interestingly, only one quantitative study found in the literature asked about subjective assessments of nicotine addiction (Zinser, Pampel, & Flores, 2011). Studies also differ in whether they ask participants if they are addicted to smoking, or the more general statement that smoking is addictive.…”