Patterns of complementary and alternative medicine use of adult smokers in the United States

OBJECTIVES: This study assesses the patterns of complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among smokers in the United States. METHODS: The data used were from the 2002 Alternative Health/Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey. Information of 12 types of CAM use in the past 12 months was obtained from a sample of 31, 044 adults. The interviews are representative of the civilian non-institutionalized US. Statistical analysis was performed using the “survey” command in STATA to account for the complex sample design of the NHIS. RESULTS: Of the survey sample, 22.5% report being current smokers. 36% of adults reported using some form of CAM therapy during the past 12 months, excluding prayer for health reasons . The proportion of smokers who use at least 1 CAM therapy in the previous 12 months (acupuncture, ayurveda, biofeedback, chelation therapy, chiropractic care, energy therapy, folk medicine hypnosis, massage, naturopathy, herbs, homeopathic treatment) is similar to non-smokers (25.0% versus 25.6%, respectively). CAM use varies by region and is similar to CAM use among smokers: 18.8 versus 18.0% in the Northeast; 23.9% versus 27.4% in the Midwest; 30.8% versus 32.3% in the South; and 26.5% versus 22.4% in the West. Similar proportions of smokers used the 12 CAM practices as in the general population. Of the adults who report using acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy, 18.5%, 20.3% and 20.0% were smokers, respectively. CONCLUSION: Adults who report being current smokers use CAM practices in similar proportions as all CAM users.