Tobacco use disparities and disability among US college students

Abstract

Objective

To describe the prevalence of tobacco use among a nationally representative sample of college students with disabilities. Participants: Analyses were conducted on a sample of 6189 college students. Methods: Data from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were analyzed for ever use, past-month, past-year use of tobacco products, and nicotine dependence. Regression models were conducted to examine the association between tobacco use and disability. Results: Prevalence of tobacco use was higher for students with disabilities. Odds of current tobacco use were higher for students with disabilities (adjusted odds ratio = 1.77) compared to those without disabilities. Students with disabilities also had greater odds of nicotine dependence. Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco use and nicotine dependence was higher among students with disabilities compared to nondisabled students. As more students with disabilities enroll in postsecondary institutions, services must be provided to these students who are at increased risk for tobacco use.

Keywords:

• Community health
• mental health
• other drugs

Author contributions

M.C. conceptualized and designed the study, performed the statistical analyses, and drafted the article. J.M.G., B.W., and O.W. made substantial contributions to the interpretation of the data and editing of the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the University Institutional Review Board.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.