Financial Distress and Smoking-induced Deprivation in Smokers with Depression

Objectives: Tobacco use may be related to financial strain in people with depression. This study explored the relationship among tobacco expenditures, financial distress, and smoking-induced deprivation (SID) in smokers with and without depression. Methods: Adult tobacco users in the United States (N = 234) completed a survey assessing depression (PHQ-8≥10), sociodemographics, tobacco use and spending, financial satisfaction and distress, and SID. Regression models controlling for income compared outcomes between participants with (N = 96) and without (N = 138) depression. Results: Participants with depression were 4 times more likely to report SID (32% vs 8%, p = .00). Smokers with depression had lower financial satisfaction, greater worry about being able to meet monthly living expenses, higher frequency of being unable to afford a leisure activity, higher frequency living paycheck to paycheck, and lower confidence in finding money for an emergency (p < .01). In smokers with depression, higher tobacco expenditures were independently associated with greater odds of SID and higher levels of financial distress (p < .01). Conclusions: About one-third of smokers with depression forego essentials to pay for tobacco. Tobacco interventions may alleviate financial strain in people with depression.