Smokers with socioeconomic stressors at greater health risk: Reports

A recent study by the Prevention Research Center of the Pacific Institute evaluated an in-depth understanding of smoking among patients in an urban emergency department. The study was published in the journal 'Tobacco Use Insights' and 1,037 patients in California were surveyed. READ: Goa Mulling Imposing Ban On Smoking In Public Places: Minister Results of the survey The study found the following: Smoking prevalence was higher among men than women (35.5% vs. 18.9%). These smoking rates are more than double those seen among adult men and women in California. Smoking rates were higher among users of other substances such as alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines, and cocaine and among those who misused prescription opioids; There were no racial/ethnic differences in the likelihood of current smoking among men, but Hispanic/Latino and African American men were less likely to be heavier smokers than white men; Among women, Hispanics/Latinas were less likely to be current smokers, and Hispanics/Latinas and African Americans were less likely to be light smokers compared to white women; Being unemployed was associated with current and moderate/heavier smoking among women; Food insufficiency was related to current and light smoking among men; Among women, past-year intimate partner violence was related to current smoking, light and moderate/heavier smoking; Having a spouse/partner who smoked was related to smoking behaviour among the sample's men and women. The findings indicate that, among urban emergency department patients, those who are faced with socioeconomic stressors, such as unemployment and food insufficiency, may be particularly vulnerable to smoking-related health disparities. Lead author Dr Carol Cunradi said, "Clinicians should consider factors such as polysubstance use and socioeconomic stressors as they screen underserved patients who smoke and formulate cessation treatment plans." READ: UP Teacher Suspended For Smoking Inside Classroom, Video Goes Viral Earlier this year, the institute had done a survey which focused on youth’s experiences and reasons for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) initiation and use, the meaning that young people ascribe to their dual-use practices and how those meanings relate to the tobacco control environment. The results showed that the most common pathway of use reported by participants was smoking to vaping (74%) followed by vaping prior to smoking, and then vaping but never smoking. The survey also described that regardless of initiation pathway, youth were generally aware of the health consequences of smoking and engaged in the use of nicotine products after considering the risks. READ: Survey: US Businesses Added Slight 125,000 Jobs In October READ: 'Delhi's Air Pollution May Be As Bad As Smoking 13 Cigarettes Per Day'

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Smokers with socioeconomic stressors at greater health risk: Reports

Researchers evaluated the understanding of smoking among patients in an urban emergency department. It was published in the journal - 'Tobacco Use Insights'

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