Presentations

Abstract

Introduction:

Tobacco use remains a significant public health concern, and veterans stand out as a group particularly vulnerable to its disparities. This study aims to identify social identity factors associated with disparities in tobacco use among veterans.

Methods:

Data were taken from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to estimate rates of tobacco use among 50470 veterans. We conducted weighted multivariate regression analyses and reported both unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios.

Results:

In unadjusted model, veteran cigarette smokers were more likely to be older age (vs 18-24; OR range=1.7-2.1 for older ages, all p<0.05), LGB (vs straight; OR=2.0,p=0.03), Non-Hispanic (NH) other race groups (vs NH-White; OR=1.3,p=0.006), binge alcohol drinking (OR=2.7,p˂0.001), and current cannabis users (OR=2.0,p<0.05). They were less likely to be asthmatic (OR=0.8,p˂0.0018), insured (OR=0.4,p˂0.001), educated (OR range=0.3-0.8,p˂0.001), higher income (vs≤25k; OR range=0.3- 0.6,p˂0.001). All factors stayed significant after adjusting except for cannabis.

In unadjusted model, veteran e-cigarette users were more likely to be LGB (vs straight; OR=3.0, p=0.0014), Non-Hispanic (NH) other race groups (vs NH-White; OR=1.6,p=0.0028), binge alcohol drinking (OR=3.8,p˂0.001), current cannabis users (OR=2.8,p=0.02). E-cigarettes users were less likely to be older age (vs 18-24; OR range=0.1-0.4,all p˂0.001), male (OR=0.7,p=0.0046), insured (OR=0.4,p˂0.001), educated (OR range=0.3-0.7,p˂0.001), income≥100k (vs ≤25k; OR=0.6,p˂0.005), and asthmatic (OR=0.5,p˂0.001). In the adjusted model, all factors lost significance except for age and education.

Conclusion:

Disparities exist in cigarette and e-cigarette use among veterans at the intersection of age, race, income, education, sexual orientation, and income. Targeted cessation intervention should consider social identities to effectively curb tobacco use among veterans.