Tobacco use disparities by racial/ethnic groups: California compared to the United States

Abstract

Racial/ethnic disparities in cigarette use and cessation persist. This study compared cigarette consumption and former smoking trends in California (CA) with the rest of the United States (US) by racial/ethnic categories of non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander groups. Data were analyzed from the 1992 to 2011 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. Consumption levels across decades were examined and adjusted logistic regression models were fit to compare across CA and US. Results indicated steady declines in ever smoking prevalence for all groups with much lower magnitudes of change among US Blacks and Whites compared to their CA counterparts. After controlling for age, gender, and education, CA had significantly fewer heavy smokers (OR = 0.45, 95% CI:0.38–0.54), more light and intermittent smokers (LITS; OR = 1.68, 95%CI: 1.45–1.93), and a greater proportion of former smokers (OR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.24–1.48) than the rest of US. Data were stratified by race/ethnicity and the patterns shown were mostly consistent with CA performing statistically better than their US counterparts with the exception of Black LITS and Asian/Pacific Islander former smokers. California's success in reducing tobacco use disparities may serve as a prime example of tobacco control policy for the country. CA and the US will need to continue to address tobacco use and cessation in the context of the growing diversity of the population.

Prevalence and determinants of cigarette smoking relapse among US adult smokers: a longitudinal study

“…Previous studies have reported a link between genetic factors and smoking behaviours 11. Other personal characteristics have been highlighted in relevant studies, including age,12 sex,13 race/ethnicity14 and nicotine dependence 15. Researchers have previously shown that knowledge and perceptions of smoking hazards influence individual intentions and motivations to quit or relapse 16 17.…”

Ethnic disparities in prevalence and patterns of smoking and nicotine dependence in rural southwest China: a cross-sectional study

“…The largest ethnic group is Han, accounting for 92% of the total population. Many studies have explored racial and ethnic disparities in prevalence of smoking worldwide 10–12. In China, several studies have examined ethnic differences in prevalence of smoking and nicotine dependence,13 14 but the literature is sparse, especially with regard to ethnic minority communities in rural regions.…”

Economic Impact of Financial Incentives and Mailing Nicotine Patches to Help Medicaid Smokers Quit Smoking: A Cost–Benefit Analysis

“…Its success has led to significantly lower smoking prevalence compared with the national average. [8][9][10][11]71,72 Nonetheless, even in California, disparities in smoking prevalence still exist between Medicaid recipients and the non-Medicaid population. Both national and California data show that Medicaid smokers are just as likely as non-Medicaid smokers to make a quit attempt; but their successful cessation rates are lower.…”