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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Pebbles Fagan, PhD, MPH, Tobacco Control Research Branch, BRP, DCCPS, National Cancer Institute, 6130 Executive Blvd, EPN 4042, MSC 7337, Bethesda, MD 20892, 301-496-8584, faganp@mail.nih.gov, Deborah L. McLellan, MHS, Center for Community-Based Research, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Smith 2, Boston, MA 02115, Anna T. Levy, MS, Office of Science Planning and Assessment, OWH, National Cancer Institute, 6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 205, Bethesda, MD 20892, Nancy J. Kaufman, RN, MS, Aurora Health Care, 3000 West Montana Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215, and Wanda K. Jones, Dr PH, Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave, SW, Rm 712E, Washington, DC 20201.

The NCI report, Women, Tobacco, and Cancer: An Agenda for the 21st Century, suggested that we fund strategic policy research to increase our understanding of the impact of public and private tobacco control policies on women and girls. Results of nine original papers which examined the effects of policies on low socioeconomic status (SES) women and girls and were presented at the meeting, “Tobacco Control Policies: Do They Make a Difference for Low SES Women and Girls?”.

Primary and secondary data were examined including literature reviews, tobacco industry documents, the Tobacco Use Supplement-Current Population Survey, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, quitlines, clinical, and smokefree bar data. Papers examined SES (i.e. occupation, poverty, education, income), sociodemographic (i.e. gender, age, race/ethnicity, marital status, region) and policy variables (i.e. taxes, access/utilization, sales restrictions, media campaigns, enforcement, and workplace, home, and school policies). Outcomes included ETS exposure, smoking intensity and frequency, and quitting.

Results were not equivalent across groups and varied by policy, SES, and sociodemographics. Youth enforcement policies were associated with lower odds of smoking initiation and transition among low-SES girls. Higher prices and media campaigns were associated with lower odds of current smoking among low-educated females. Home restrictions had stronger effects on current, heavy smoking and quitting than complete workplace bans; effects of workplace bans varied by poverty level and race/ethnicity. Non-adherence to workplace-bans was associated with Asian bartender ETS exposure. Studies are needed to increase the evidence on differential effects of policies on trajectories and patterns of smoking.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will

• articulate the differences in policy effects among racial/ethnic groups on tobacco use and exposure.
• discuss differences in policy effects among poverty and educational groups on tobacco use and exposure.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation