Impact of Alcohol Use and Bar Attendance on Smoking and Quit Attempts Among Young Adult Bar Patrons

Abstract

Objectives We examined cigarette smoking and quit attempts in the context of alcohol use and bar attendance among young adult bar patrons with different smoking patterns. Methods We used randomized time location sampling to collect data among adult bar patrons aged 21 to 26 years in San Diego, California (n =1235; response rate = 73%). We used multinomial and multivariate logistic regression models to analyze the association between smoking and quit attempts and both drinking and binge drinking among occasional, regular, very light, and heavier smokers, controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and education. Results Young adult bar patrons reported high rates of smoking and co-use of cigarettes and alcohol. Binge drinking predicted smoking status, especially occasional and very light smoking. All types of smokers reported alcohol use, and bar attendance made it harder to quit. Alcohol use was negatively associated with quit attempts for very light smokers, but positively associated with quitting among heavier smokers. Conclusions Smoking and co-use of cigarettes and alcohol are common among young adult bar patrons, but there are important differences by smoking patterns. Tobacco interventions for young adults should prioritize bars and address alcohol use.

Phantom smoking among young adult bar patrons

“…More than one-third of the participants aged 18–30 years who completed surveys in the present study were smokers, and research has demonstrated a clear relationship between binge drinking and smoking frequency 24. Evidence suggests that passing clean indoor air acts has been closely related to reduced smoking rates in the USA 10 11.…”

“…Evidence suggests that passing clean indoor air acts has been closely related to reduced smoking rates in the USA 10 11. Phantom smokers had lower rates of binge drinking and smoking while drinking at a bar,24 suggesting that smoke-free bars and nightclubs would have the greatest impact on heavier smokers.…”

Recruiting Hard-to-Reach Populations for Survey Research: Using Facebook and Instagram Advertisements and In-Person Intercept in LGBT Bars and Nightclubs to Recruit LGBT Young Adults (Preprint)

“…These findings provide important contributions to the existing literature that has shown that these methods can be used to recruit LGBT young adults in bars and nightclubs in a single market [23] and young adults who are at a higher risk for smoking and alcohol use in a number of markets in the United States [24][25][26][27][28].…”

“…Researchers are increasingly turning to innovative strategies for recruiting HTR populations versus traditional methods [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. One strategy that researchers use to recruit young adults involves conducting intercept interviews in social venues (eg, bars, nightclubs) where the target population spends time.…”

“…One strategy that researchers use to recruit young adults involves conducting intercept interviews in social venues (eg, bars, nightclubs) where the target population spends time. A number of researchers have used this strategy to recruit young adults who are at a higher risk for smoking and alcohol use [24][25][26][27][28]. Furthermore, Fallin and colleagues used this strategy to successfully recruit LGBT young adults in bars and nightclubs [23].…”