Factors associated with smokeless tobacco use and dual use among blue collar workers

Health Risk Behavior Profile of Construction Workers, 32 States, 2013 to 2016

BACKGROUND

Research has suggested that several health risk behaviors were more prevalent among construction workers than among the general workforce.

METHODS

The prevalences of six health risk behaviors among construction workers were compared with workers in other industries using data from 32 states in the 2013 to 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

RESULTS

Smoking, smokeless tobacco use, binge drinking, no leisure-time physical activity, and not always using a seatbelt were significantly more prevalent (P < 0.001), and short sleep significantly less prevalent (P < 0.05), for all construction workers combined compared with workers in other industries. Prevalences varied substantially for all six health risk behaviors by construction occupation.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the high prevalence of some health risk behaviors, construction workers may benefit from interventions to reduce these behaviors, particularly since they are also potentially exposed to workplace hazards.

Cigarettes, Smokeless Tobacco, and Poly-Tobacco Among Workers in Three Dusty Industries

BACKGROUND

Tobacco use remains high among blue-collar workers, the health consequences of which may be compounded by occupational dust exposure. Detailed data on tobacco use among workers in dusty industries are lacking.

METHODS

The 2006 to 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was used to compare current tobacco use prevalence [including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco (SLT), and both (dual use)] among male workers in three dusty industries to all other employed men using bivariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Smoking rates were high among extraction (39.9%) and construction (38.5%) workers. Increased odds of SLT (odds ratio = 3.3) and dual use (odds ratio = 2.6) were observed among dusty-industry workers compared with other employed men. The prevalence of any tobacco use was unexpectedly high among extraction workers (60.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Disparities in tobacco use behaviors by industry may point to opportunities for targeted workplace tobacco cessation programs.

High Cigarette and Poly-Tobacco Use Among Workers in a Dusty Industry: New Jersey Quarry Workers

OBJECTIVE

Tobacco use is high among US extraction and construction workers, who can also incur occupational dust exposure. Information on different types of tobacco use among quarry/mine workers is sparse.

METHODS

During mandated training sessions, New Jersey quarry workers were surveyed about their tobacco use. Prevalence was calculated for single and multiple tobacco use by demographic and workplace characteristics; logistic regression was used to assess associations with smoking.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty (97.1%) workers completed surveys. Among respondents, 41.7% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 35.4 to 48.3] currently used any tobacco product of whom 28.1% smoked cigarettes. In multivariate analysis, positive associations with smoking included working as a contractor versus mine employee (odds ratio 2.32, 95% CI 1.01 to 5.36) and a usual job title of maintenance (odds ratio 2.02, 95% CI 0.87 to 4.94).

CONCLUSION

Industry-specific information may be helpful in developing targeted tobacco-cessation programs.

Is Adolescent Poly-tobacco Use Associated with Alcohol and Other Drug Use?

OBJECTIVES

To examine associations between current multiple tobacco product use, and current use of alcohol and marijuana, binge drinking, and lifetime use of marijuana, alcohol, and other drugs among US high school students.

METHODS

Using 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data (N = 13,583 high school students), logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine if single tobacco product or multiple tobacco product users are more likely to engage in other risk behaviors than zero tobacco product users, controlling for demographic variables.

RESULTS

Overall, 23% of the sample used tobacco products and 10% of students reported current use of at least 2 tobacco products. Among single tobacco product users, the odds for engaging in risk behaviors ranged from 3.3 to 9.9 compared to non-tobacco users (p < .0001). Among multiple tobacco product users, the odds ranged from 1.5 to 4.7 (p < .01) compared to single tobacco product users.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest dual users are significantly more likely to engage in risk behavior than non-users and single product users. Future interventions should consider identifying dual-users as at higher risk, and targeting multiple risk behaviors.

Atypical valuation of monetary and cigarette rewards in substance dependent smokers

OBJECTIVE

Substance dependent (SD) relative to non-dependent (ND) individuals exhibit an attenuated reward positivity, an electrophysiological signal believed to index sensitivity of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to rewards. Here we asked whether this altered neural response reflects a specific devaluation of monetary rewards relative to drug-related rewards by ACC.

METHODS

We recorded the reward positivity from SD and ND individuals who currently smoke, following an overnight period of abstinence, while they engaged in two feedback tasks. In a money condition the feedback indicated either a monetary reward or no reward, and in a cigarette condition the feedback indicated either a drug-related reward or no reward.

RESULTS

Overall, cigarette relative to monetary rewards elicited a larger reward positivity. Further, for the subjects who engaged in the money condition first, the reward positivity was smaller for the SD compared to the ND participants, but for the subjects who engaged in the cigarette condition first, the reward positivity was larger for the SD compared to the ND participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the initial category of feedback "primed" the response of the ACC to the alternative feedback type on subsequent trials, and that SD and ND individuals responded differently to this priming effect.

SIGNIFICANCE

We propose that for people who misuse addictive substances, the prospect of obtaining drug-related rewards engages the ACC to exert control over extended behaviors.

Do Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Cigarette Smoking Extend to Smokeless Tobacco Use?

INTRODUCTION

Individuals with lower socioeconomic status (SES) are at increased risk for cigarette smoking. Less research has been conducted characterizing the relationship between SES and risk of using of other tobacco products. The present study examined SES as a risk factor for smokeless tobacco (ST) use in a US nationally representative sample, utilizing data from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

METHODS

Odds were generated for current cigarette smoking and ST use among adults (≥18 years) based on SES markers (educational attainment, income, blue-collar employment, and unemployment) after controlling for the influence of demographics and other substance dependence.

RESULTS

Odds of current cigarette smoking increased as a graded, inverse function of educational attainment as well as lower income and being unemployed. Odds of current ST use also increased as a function of lower educational attainment, although not in the linear manner seen with cigarette smoking. Odds of ST use but not cigarette smoking also increased with blue-collar employment. In contrast to patterns seen with cigarette smoking, ST use did not change in relation to income or unemployment.

CONCLUSIONS

Markers of SES are significantly associated with odds of cigarette smoking and ST use, but which indicators are predictive and the shape of their relationship to use differs across the two tobacco products.

Comparing college smokers' and dual users' expectancies towards cigarette smoking

BACKGROUND

As no agreed upon definition exists for dual use (i.e., individuals who concurrently use more than one form of tobacco), this population remains largely unstudied in the substance use literature, despite increases in smokeless tobacco use among young adults. Individuals 18-25years of age report the highest rates of smokeless tobacco use, dual use, and cigarette use. The current study compared the smoking outcome expectancies of college student dual users to those who reported only smoking cigarettes.

METHODS

The Short Form of the Smoking Consequences Questionnaire was used to examine potential differences in positive or negative expectations regarding cigarette use.

RESULTS

Data from this study suggest that smokers believe that smoking will lead to greater positive consequences ("cigarettes taste good"), negative reinforcement ("cigarettes help me deal with anger"), and weight/appetite reduction ("smoking controls my appetite") when compared to dual users. Conversely, dual users believed that smoking would lead to greater negative consequences (e.g., "smoking is taking years off of my life").

DISCUSSION

These results may help to explain why some smokers choose not to use smokeless tobacco products for harm reduction or smoking cessation purposes, as well as why increases are being observed in smokeless tobacco rates among young adults.

Dual use of tobacco among Bangladeshi men

INTRODUCTION

Dual use of tobacco (using smoking and smokeless forms) in Bangladesh is uncommon in women but common in men. Dual users are at additional risk of cancers and heart diseases compared with a single form of tobacco use. Knowledge about their socioeconomic background is necessary for planning appropriate interventions. We report here socioeconomic background of the dual users of tobacco from a nationally representative survey.

METHODS

The study adopted a probability proportionate to size sampling technic of divisional population stratified into urban and rural areas to recruit men aged 25 years or older from their households. A total of 4312 men were recruited. Variables included questions on 20 household assets, tobacco use and other behavioral risk factors, and measurement of body weight and height.

RESULTS

The average age of dual users was 46.7 years old compared to 43.4 and 52.3 years for smokers and smokeless tobacco users. Prevalence of "smoking only," "smokeless only" and "dual use" of tobacco was 40.6%, 15.2%, and 14.2%, respectively. Among all tobacco users, dual users constituted 20%. These dual users had lower educational achievement, rural residence, lower intake of fruit, and higher intake of alcohol. They were more undernourished as indicated by a thin body mass index compared to nonusers and smokers. Dual users were of socioeconomically deprived as measured by wealth quartiles constructed out of household assets.

CONCLUSION

Dual use of tobacco is common in Bangladesh, and it is intimately linked with socioeconomic deprivation. Poverty reduction strategy and campaigns should address tobacco control not only tobacco in general, but its dual use in particular.