Julia C West1, Catherine Peasley-Miklus2, Amanda L Graham3, Darren Mays4, Robin Mermelstein5, Stephen T Higgins2, Andrea C Villanti2. 1. Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, USA; Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, USA. Electronic address: julia.west@uvm.edu. 2. Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, USA. 3. Innovations, Truth Initiative, USA; Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA. 4. Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA. 5. Department of Psychology and Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Population studies highlight that alcohol and marijuana use are correlated with cigarette smoking and other tobacco use. The aim of our study was to describe the ways in which alcohol and drug use may affect cigarette smoking and cessation in socioeconomically-disadvantaged young adult (SDYA) smokers. METHODS: Thirty-six SDYA smokers aged 18-29 participated in eight focus groups and two individual interviews in Burlington, Vermont in 2018. Structured focus groups addressed poly-tobacco use, other substance use and co-use with tobacco, and the contexts and facilitators that cue SDYA smoking. Participants were also asked their reasons for smoking, barriers to cessation, and messages or modalities that would make smoking cessation more novel or relevant. Three coders implemented the Framework Method to systematically code focus group transcripts. RESULTS: In this sample of SDYA smokers, four key themes emerged around the relationships between alcohol and drug use and smoking: 1) frequent co-use of tobacco and other substances, 2) changes in frequency of smoking when using other substances, including chain smoking when drinking and substituting cigarettes with marijuana, 3) cigarettes as a last remaining addiction for those in recovery from other substance use and, 4) fears that quitting smoking would cause relapse to other substances. DISCUSSION: Co-use of other substances emerged as a reason for smoking and a barrier to quitting, including a concern that quitting smoking would trigger drug or alcohol relapse. Findings support demand for interventions that address substance co-use to improve smoking cessation in SDYA smokers.
INTRODUCTION: Population studies highlight that alcohol and marijuana use are correlated with cigarette smoking and other tobacco use. The aim of our study was to describe the ways in which alcohol and drug use may affect cigarette smoking and cessation in socioeconomically-disadvantaged young adult (SDYA) smokers. METHODS: Thirty-six SDYA smokers aged 18-29 participated in eight focus groups and two individual interviews in Burlington, Vermont in 2018. Structured focus groups addressed poly-tobacco use, other substance use and co-use with tobacco, and the contexts and facilitators that cue SDYA smoking. Participants were also asked their reasons for smoking, barriers to cessation, and messages or modalities that would make smoking cessation more novel or relevant. Three coders implemented the Framework Method to systematically code focus group transcripts. RESULTS: In this sample of SDYA smokers, four key themes emerged around the relationships between alcohol and drug use and smoking: 1) frequent co-use of tobacco and other substances, 2) changes in frequency of smoking when using other substances, including chain smoking when drinking and substituting cigarettes with marijuana, 3) cigarettes as a last remaining addiction for those in recovery from other substance use and, 4) fears that quitting smoking would cause relapse to other substances. DISCUSSION: Co-use of other substances emerged as a reason for smoking and a barrier to quitting, including a concern that quitting smoking would trigger drug or alcohol relapse. Findings support demand for interventions that address substance co-use to improve smoking cessation in SDYA smokers.
Authors: Valerie F Williams; Alexandria A Smith; Andrea C Villanti; Jessica M Rath; Elizabeth C Hair; Jennifer Cantrell; Lyubov Teplitskaya; Donna M Vallone Journal: J Public Health Manag Pract Date: 2017 Sep/Oct
Authors: Lawrence C An; Michele R S Demers; Matthias A Kirch; Shannon Considine-Dunn; Vijay Nair; Kohinoor Dasgupta; Naveen Narisetty; Ken Resnicow; Jasjit Ahluwalia Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr Date: 2013-12