Socio-Demographic Disparities in Time to First Cigarette (TTFC) among U.S. Adult Smokers

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Abstract

Background Previous studies have reported that early time to first cigarette (TTFC) is associated with increased risk for poor health and morbidity. However, little is known about the association between socio-demographic variables and this health risk behavior. Hence, the objective of this study was to examine socio-demographic disparities in TTFC among US adult smokers.
Methods This study used data from the 2013-2014 National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS). Current smokers aged 18 years and older (N = 3,340) were classified into two groups based on time to first cigarette: ≤ 5 minutes (n = 1,064) and > 5 minutes (n = 2,276). Data were analyzed using chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression.
Results After adjusting for gender and smoking-related behaviors, firstly, Non-White smokers and smokers with low SES were more likely to smoke within 5 minutes of waking (early TTFC) than among White smokers and smokers with high SES. Secondly, over the age of 40 group was associated with decreased odds of early TTFC compared to aged 18-39 group. Lastly, aged over 40 with household income of < $ 20,000 was associated with decreased odds of early TTFC compared to aged 18-39 with household income of < $ 20,000 and $ 20,000 - $ 39,999 as influenced by interaction effect between age and household income levels.
Conclusions There exist socio-demographic disparities in time to first cigarette among US adult smokers. It is necessary to develop tailored intervention in consideration of socio-demographic factors to reduce the prevalence of early TTFC among US adult smokers in vulnerable population groups.

Author

• Baksun Sung, Utah State University