Differences in cessation attempts and cessation methods by race/ethnicity among US adult smokers, 2016-2018

Advice to quit smoking and cessation patterns vary by race/ethnicity in the United States. This study aims to provide the up-to-date prevalence of quit advice, quit attempts and use of smoking cessation methods (particularly e-cigarettes) by race/ethnicity among US adult smokers.

We used data from Wave 4 (2016-2018) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Using past-12-month and current adult cigarette smokers (n = 9,272), we conducted multivariable models to examine the association between race/ethnicity and advice to quit and quit attempts. Further, using a subset of those who made quit attempts (n = 5,046), we examined the use of smoking cessation methods, including e-cigarettes, by race/ethnicity, controlling for associated factors.

Compared to Non-Hispanic [NH] White smokers, Hispanic smokers were less likely to receive quit advice (aPR [95 % CI] = 0.88 [0.78, 1.00]), but more likely to make quit attempts (1.14 [1.06, 1.23]). NH Black smokers (vs. NH Whites) were more likely to receive quit advice (1.06 [1.00, 1.12]) and more likely to make quit attempts (1.22 [1.15, 1.29]). NH Black smokers (vs. NH Whites) were more likely to use behavioral treatment (e.g., counseling) (1.84 [1.22, 2.77]). Hispanic smokers were less likely to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking than Whites (0.48 [0.33, 0.71]) and use pharmacotherapy (0.62 [0.44, 0.88]).

We found different patterns in cessation attempts and cessation methods by race/ethnicity among US adult smokers. Efforts to eliminate disparities must increase access and use of proven cessation therapies for these groups.