Single and multiple tobacco product use among people with disabilities: Findings from the National Health Interview...

People with disabilities, approximately 25 % of the population, have a higher prevalence of smoking cigarettes and using various tobacco products; however, little is known about multiple tobacco product (MTP) use among this population. This study assessed patterns of MTP use among people with disabilities.

Data from the 2019-2022 National Health Interview Study were analyzed to estimate the prevalence of single tobacco, MTP, and specific combinations of MTP (multiple combusted, combusted and non-combusted) use among adults with any disability and six disability domains (cognitive, communication, hearing, mobility, self-care, vision). Multinomial logistic regression models examined the association between MTP use and disability status.

People with any disability had higher odds of single tobacco product use (aOR = 1.35; 95 % CI 1.26, 1.45) and MTP use (aOR = 1.81; 95 % CI 1.57, 2.09) compared to those without any disability, which included multiple combusted use (aOR = 2.01; 95 % CI 1.62, 2.51) and multiple combusted/non-combusted use (aOR = 1.70; 95 % CI 1.43, 2.02). Higher odds of multiple combusted use were also found among those with cognitive, hearing, mobility, and vision disabilities and higher odds of multiple combusted/non-combusted use were found among those with cognitive and vision disabilities compared to those without the respective disability.

People with disabilities have higher odds of MTP use and therefore may be exposed to more toxicants and at risk for more severe nicotine dependence than those without a disability. Future research should investigate reasons for MTP use in this population and tailored cessation interventions may need to account for MTP use.