A description of the demographics of cigarette smoking behavior in active duty personnel stationed in the state of California

A 2002 California survey identified active duty military personnel as more likely to use tobacco than the general public. A 2004 survey-based study examined tobacco habits and smoking prevalences. A random sample of this population was extracted from DoD administrative records. Smoking prevalence was tabulated by age, gender, race/ethnicity and service. Smoking rates were compared using chi-square tests. Sample weights were used to match population totals in service, and statistical methods accounted for weighting and stratification. Logistic regression was used to adjust odds of smoking for confounding. Overall smoking prevalence was 21.6% (19.6, 23.8). Smoking prevalence among males (22.1% [19.7, 24.4]) was slightly higher than females (18.4%[14.1, 22.7], but this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.16). Personnel aged 18-24 smoked at a rate (31.9% [27.8,36.1]) over twice that of any other group (p<.001). This population is predominately White (60%). The White, non - Hispanic group had the highest smoking rate (26.1% [23.3, 28.9]) (p<.001) and was significantly higher than rates among Hispanics (p<.0013) or African Americans (p<.001). Marine service smoking rates were 33% higher than the Navy service and 50% higher than Army and Air Force smoking rates. After adjusting for age and race, Marine smoking rates were not significantly higher than smoking rates among Navy personnel (p>0.424) or Army personnel (p>0.057). Although rates were still significantly higher than rates in the Air Force (p>0.005). Personnel in the younger age groups and Marine service used tobacco with elevated frequency.