Prevalence, correlates and context of adult onset smoking among African American women

Studies indicate that nearly half of African American women who smoke begin in adulthood (age ≥18 years). African American women's average age of smoking onset and first birth suggest that a large proportion who smoke are parenting when they start. The study objective is to examine the sociodemographic, and mental and physical health correlates and social role context of adult onset smoking among African American women. Data from the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-a survey of 43,093 US civilian, non-institutionalized adults-was utilized. The study sample comprised black/African American women nonsmokers (n=3,535) and adolescent (n=801) and adult (n=774) onset smokers. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used to address the study objectives. Just under one-third (29.0%) of the study sample smoked >100 cigarettes in their lifetime and nearly half (47.5%) had their first cigarette in adulthood, with 40.0% starting between the ages of 18 and 25. Adult onset smokers were more likely than nonsmokers to be unemployed, use other drugs, have physical and mental health problems, and less likely to be college educated. Nearly half (48.9%) were parenting when they started smoking. Although black women who begin smoking as adolescents were more likely to be unemployed, have mental health problems, and less likely to be college educated; there were clear risks to black women and their children for those who begin smoking in adulthood. Smoking prevention efforts should be directed to young African American women, with child-care settings being an important location to target this population.