The relation between alcohol consumption and smoking abstinence: results from the Working Well Trial

The current study examined the relation between drinking and smoking abstinence in a community-based sample from the Working Well Trial (WWT). At baseline, drinking level was related to smoking history (never, former, or current smoker; P < .0001) and abstinence history. Mean monthly alcohol consumption increased linearly with decreases in duration of recent abstinence (i.e., longest period quit in the past year among current smokers; P < .05) and current abstinence (i.e., time since quitting among former smokers; P < .0001), even controlling for relevant demographic factors. Among baseline smokers, lower beer consumption predicted smoking abstinence at 4-year follow-up (P< .01). A trend towards significance was found for total alcohol consumption (P = .06). The results suggest (a) a dose-response relation between baseline drinking and duration of smoking abstinence, and (b) that heavier drinkers are less likely to quit smoking over a 4-year period.