The Intersection of Food Insecurity and Tobacco Use: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Cigarette smoking is increasingly concentrated in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and food insecurity also disproportionately affects lower-income groups. Recent studies have suggested that smoking and food insecurity operate as risk factors for one another, but there is limited understanding of their intersection. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the published literature on the association between food insecurity and tobacco use across population groups in the United States and Canada. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO using key words. Studies included were published in English between 2008 and 2018, reported empirical findings, measured both tobacco use and food insecurity, and considered either variable as a study outcome. Nineteen articles were identified; 6 examined tobacco use as an outcome variable and 13 examined food insecurity as an outcome variable. Most articles were of studies using cross-sectional designs. Study samples ranged from general populations, clinical samples, and underserved populations. For each article, we extracted information including specific findings related to the association between food insecurity and tobacco use. We synthesized the current research by formulating a model by which food insecurity and tobacco use are bidirectionally associated. This scoping review concludes that the co-occurrence of food insecurity and tobacco use exists across populations in the United States and Canada. As the evidence is largely from cross-sectional investigations, there is a need for longer term, comprehensive assessments of relationships between tobacco use and food insecurity. Such investigations can inform policies and interventions aimed toward addressing the inequitable burden of tobacco use and of food insecurity among disadvantaged populations.

Alcohol Consumption and Smoking During Covid-19 Pandemic: Association with Sociodemographic, Behavioral, and Mental Health Characteristics

“…Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption can be consequences of worry and stress about a food insecurity status. On the other hand, both behaviors can lead to inadequate dietary intake and difficulty in food acquisition as a result of a restricted financial source for it [ 41 , 42 ].…”

Comparison of an automated smartphone-based smoking cessation intervention versus standard quitline-delivered treatment among underserved smokers: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Study staff will recruit participants from affiliated food distribution centers using face-to-face, online, and remote (e.g., flyers, staff referrals) recruitment methods. Cigarette smoking prevalence in the general population is 13.7% [ 32 ], yet smoking rates are higher among individuals with low SES and the food insecure [ 2 , 33 ]. Given the broad reach of this hunger-relief organization, we believe that our recruitment goal of 500 participants is attainable.…”

Food deserts and cardiovascular health among young adults

“…Third, bolstering community gardens and farmers' markets can improve access to fresher healthier food, as well as increase physical movement and neighbourhood cohesion (46) . Finally, to the extent that living in a food desert and experiencing food distress increases unhealthy behaviours such as smoking (5,47,48) , alleviating nutritional hardships in food deserts may help improve health behaviour and in turn enhance cardiovascular health.…”