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. 2016 Sep:60:124-30.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.04.006. Epub 2016 Apr 19.

Other tobacco product and electronic cigarette use among homeless cigarette smokers

Travis P Baggett  1 , Eric G Campbell  2 , Yuchiao Chang  3 , Nancy A Rigotti  4
Affiliations

Other tobacco product and electronic cigarette use among homeless cigarette smokers

Travis P Baggett et al. Addict Behav. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: We determined the prevalence and correlates of other tobacco product and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use in a clinic-based sample of homeless cigarette smokers.

Methods: In April-July 2014, we used time-location sampling to conduct a cross-sectional, in-person survey of 306 currently homeless adult cigarette smokers recruited from 5 clinical sites at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. We assessed past-month use of large cigars, little cigars, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes. Among those who had used e-cigarettes, we assessed the reasons for doing so. We used logistic regression analysis to identify the participant characteristics associated with the use of each product.

Results: Eighty-six percent of eligible individuals participated in the survey. In the past month, 37% of respondents used large cigars, 44% used little cigars, 8% used smokeless tobacco, 24% used an e-cigarette, and 68% used any of these products. Reasons for e-cigarette use included curiosity (85%) and to help quit conventional cigarettes (69%). In multivariable regression analyses, homeless smokers with greater subsistence difficulties were more likely to use little cigars (p=0.01) and less likely to use e-cigarettes (p=0.001). Non-Hispanic black (p=0.01), Hispanic (p<0.001), and rough-sleeping (p=0.04) participants were more likely to use large cigars. Readiness to quit was not associated with other tobacco product use but was significantly associated with e-cigarette use to help quit smoking (p=0.02).

Conclusions: Health care providers who serve homeless people should consider routine screening for the use of other tobacco products and e-cigarettes to help guide smoking cessation discussions and tobacco treatment planning.

Keywords: Electronic cigarettes; Homeless persons; Tobacco products; Tobacco use.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Reasons for using an e-cigarette among past-month e-cigarette users (N=72). Note: Total exceeds 100% because respondents could endorse more than one reason.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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