Prevalence of cigarette smoking in Northeast Pennsylvania in 2002

1. Prevalence of cigarette smoking in Northeast Pennsylvania in 2002 T Coleman* and SM Lesko Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Scranton, PA *colemang2@scranton.edu ABSTRACT Tobacco is the most common preventable cause of death and disability in the US. Incidence rates for several tobacco-related cancers in Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) are significantly higher than the corresponding US rates. We used data from an on-going population-based study of cancer risk factors to estimate the prevalence of current cigarette smoking among adult residents of six NEPA counties. A total of 1,096 participants, identified by random digit dialing, were interviewed by telephone. Prevalence estimates were adjusted for sex and education, and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated. The prevalence of current cigarette smoking among all adults was 27.5% (95%CI, 24.9%-30.1%). This proportion was significantly higher than 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study figures for PA and the US (24.5%, 22.7% respectively). Among men and women in NEPA, the prevalence of current smoking was 28.9% (95%CI, 24.3%-33.5%) and 26.1% (95%CI, 22.9%-29.3%), respectively. The prevalence of smoking among women was significantly higher than the US figure (20.6%). When examined by age, the prevalence of current smoking in NEPA was greatest among 30-44 year olds (40.7%, 95%CI, 35.3%-46.1%). This proportion was significantly greater than both the PA (29.1%) and the US figures (26.4%). The high prevalence of smoking in NEPA underscores the need for more effective tobacco control efforts for adults in this six county region. Women and younger adults (30-44 years old) are two subgroups who may particularly benefit from targeted interventions. • Outcomes • Prevalence of cigarette smoking (current and past) in 2002 • Adjusted for age and education • Compared to BRFSS data from 2001 • Professional Practices (in 2003) • Inquiries regarding smoking • Recommendations regarding quitting • Smokers’ intentions (in 2003) • Previous quit attempts • Plans for quitting • Smoking Cessation (in 2003) • Of 336 current smokers, 82.6% (95% CI; 78.5%, 86.7%) reported that they had stopped smoking for one day or longer because they were trying to quit smoking • Median number of quit attempts =3 • Plans for quitting smoking are shown in Figure 3. • Of 273 current smokers 29.7% (95% CI; 24.3%, 35.1%) planned to quit within six months • 24.6% (95% CI; 19.5%, 29.7%) had no intention of quitting • RESULTS • Participants interviewed in 2002, n= 1,096 • 34.4% male • Age, range 18-93 yrs • mean = 51 yrs • 9.7% with <high school education • 1.8% non-white • Participants interviewed in 2003, n= 1,466 • 35.3% male • Age, range 18-92 yrs • mean = 53yrs • 7% with <high school education • 2.7% non-white • Prevalence of cigarette smoking in 2002 is shown in Table 1. • Prevalence of cigarette smoking in 2002 by age is shown in Figure 1. • In NEPA, current smoking was highest in 30-44 year age group • 40.7% (95% CI, 35.3%-46.1%) • This figure was significantly higher than 2001 BRFSS figures for PA and the US (29.1% and 26.4%, respectively; p <0.001) • Prevalence of past smoking was unusually high in several age categories • In 18-29 year age group, it was 21.9% (95% CI, 14.1%-29.7%) • - This figure was significantly higher than 2001 BRFSS figures for PA and the US (8.9% and10.7%,respectively; p <0.001) • In 30-44 year age group, it was 23.0% (95% CI, 18.4%-27.6%) • - This figure was significantly higher than 2001 BRFSS for the US (17.8%, p <0.05) • Prevalence of cigarette smoking in 2002 by education is shown in Figure 2. • In NEPA, current smoking was more common among those with some college education • Prevalence 29.5% (95% CI, 24.6%-34.4%) • This figure was significantly greater than 2001 BRFSS data for the US (23.7%, p <0.05) Figure 3. Readiness to Quit Smoking in 2003 Figure 1. Cigarette Smoking in 2002 by Age • CONCLUSIONS • Prevalence of cigarette smoking is high • Majority of smokers would like to quit • 29% of adults not asked about smoking • 24.5% of smokers not advised to quit • OBJECTIVES • Document prevalence of cigarette smoking in NEPA • Establish baseline data for county tobacco control initiatives • Explore professional and patient practices related to quitting • LIMITATIONS • Self-reported data • Limited statistical power for stratified analyses • BACKGROUND • Tobacco is the most common preventable cause of death and disability in the US • In NEPA, incidence rates for tobacco-related cancers are high • Lung • Bladder • Cervix • Behavioral Risk Factor Study (BRFSS) data suggest that smoking prevalence is high in several NEPA counties • DISCUSSION • The high prevalence of smoking in NEPA underscores the need for more effective tobacco control efforts for adults. • Women and younger adults (ages 30-44) may particularly benefit from targeted interventions. Figure 2. Cigarette Smoking in 2002 by Education • Professional Practices (in 2003) • Of 1,215 respondents in NEPA, 29.6% (95% CI; 27%, 32.2%) reported that they had not been asked by a healthcare professional in the past year if they smoked cigarettes • 66% (95% CI; 63.3%, 68.7%) had been asked • Of 275 current smokers, 24.5% (95% CI; 19.4%, 29.6%) reported that they had not been advised by a healthcare professional in the past year to quit smoking • 69.2% (95% CI; 63.7%, 74.7%) had been advised to quit ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This research was supported by grant number DE-FG02-98ER62592 from the U.S. Department of Energy and grants from the Lackawanna County Commission on Drug and Alcohol, and the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties’ Drug and Alcohol Program. This project was funded, in part, under a contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Harrisburg, PA. The Department specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations or conclusions. • METHODS • Population-based study • Subjects: adult residents of NEPA • Six Counties- Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming • Selected by random digit dialing • Interviewed by telephone