Racial/Ethnic Differences in Tobacco Use and Cessation Services among Individuals in Substance Use Treatment

ABSTRACT

Few studies explore racial/ethnic disparities in tobacco use and access to cessation services among people with substance use disorders (SUD). We collected data from Hispanics (n = 255), non-Hispanic Whites (n = 195), and non-Hispanic Blacks (n = 126) across 24 Californian residential SUD treatment programs. Data were analyzed via regression models adjusting for demographics, cigarettes per day, past quit attempts, intent to quit in the next 30 days, and physical health status. Non-Hispanic Whites smoked at a higher rate (68.7%) than both Hispanics (54.9%) and non-Hispanic Blacks (55.6%) and smoked more cigarettes per day (M = 11.2, SD = 6.5). Hispanics were more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to receive a referral to a cessation specialist (adjusted odds ratio; AOR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.15, 4.78) and tobacco-cessation counseling (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.28, 5.62). Non-Hispanic Blacks were also more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to receive cessation counseling (AOR = 3.61, 95% CI = 1.01, 12.87) and NRT/pharmacotherapy (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.57, 4.47). Despite their decreased smoking prevalence and severity, REMs were accessing smoking cessation services while in treatment, suggesting that SUD treatment could serve as a place to address tobacco-related racial inequities.

KEYWORDS:

• Health disparity
• tobacco cessation
• substance use treatment
• racial/ethnic minority

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the California Tobacco Control Program (CTCP 18-10025), California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP 18-24526 and TRDRP 18-25908), and a NIDA training grant (T32DA007250). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the State of California or the National Institutes of Health.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the California Tobacco Control Program [CTCP 18-10025]; National Institute on Drug Abuse Training Grant [T32DA007250]; California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program[TRDRP 27IR-0040 and 28CP-0038].