Improving How We Deliver Tobacco Cessation Programs: Findings from an Intervention for People with Disabilities

Background:Smoking is the single most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for 480,000 deaths in the United States annually. While the rate of adults who smoke continues to decline, people with disabilities (PWD) smoke at a rate of 1.5 times greater than that of the general population. Higher incidence of tobacco use among PWD has been directly related to a constellation of unique and universal cessation barriers.

Methods:The research team used a CBPR, mixed methods approach to develop a tobacco cessation intervention for PWD.  During the program evaluation portion of the study, the research team administered surveys and conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 participants to identify what challenges the participants encountered when attempting to remain tobacco free and what program characteristics supported PWD in becoming tobacco free.

Results:Participants were primarily African American (55%), male (62%), with a variety of disabilities (cognitive, mobility, multiple disabilities). The most frequently identified triggers for continued tobacco use were stress (72%), being around other users (52%), and alcohol use (52%).  Participants identified health (89%) and finances (7%) as the primary reasons for quitting.  Findings also suggested PWD prefer interventions to be flexible, accessible, promote an accepting atmosphere, and use relatable materials and facilitators.

Conclusions: Tobacco users with disabilities remain a priority population for tobacco cessation interventions. Findings suggest our sample of PWD have unique characteristics that are beneficial to address during a cessation intervention. Better understanding these unique characteristics will help researchers develop successful tobacco cessation interventions.