Sociodemographic and substance use correlates of tobacco use in a large, multi-ethnic sample of emergency department patients

Strong evidence suggests marked disparities among ethnic minorities in relation to tobacco use. To date, a majority of the data available discusses tobacco use in the general population. Using a sample of Latino, non-Latino Black (NLB), and non-Latino White (NLW) patients presenting to the emergency departments, the present study examined sociodemographic and substance use correlates of past 3-month tobacco use. Over 48,000 patients were interviewed as part of a screening and brief intervention program in southern California. Overall, although NLB adults reported the greatest prevalence of tobacco use compared to NLWs and Latinos (43% vs. 34% and 22% respectively), associations between tobacco use, demographics and substance use were similar across groups. Males, younger individuals, those with lower income, and being at higher risk for alcohol and drug use were more likely to report recent tobacco use. Future tobacco interventions in emergency settings should highlight these specific risk factors for Latinos, NLBs, and NLWs.

Research highlights
► Secondary data analysis of a large public health program in emergency departments.
► We evaluated sociodemographic and substance use associations of recent tobacco use.
► Tobacco using patients at higher risk for alcohol and substance use than non users.
► Non-Latino Blacks and non-Latino Whites twice as likely to use tobacco as Latinos.
► Male gender, younger age, and lower income predicted tobacco use across ethnicity.