Tobacco Use by Urbanization Level Among U.S. Adults, 2024

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Tobacco use remains a significant public health concern in the United States.
• Understanding geographic variations in tobacco use is crucial for effective public health interventions.
• Previous research indicates potential differences in health behaviors between rural and urban populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate rural-urban differences in the prevalence of current tobacco product use among U.S. adults.
• To analyze the association between rurality and the use of specific tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco.
• To examine differences in the number of tobacco products used between rural and urban residents.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the 2024 National Health Interview Survey, including 32,629 U.S. adults.
• Utilized the 2023 National Center for Health Statistics urban-rural classification scheme.
• Employed weighted logistic and Poisson regression models, adjusting for various demographic and health-related factors.

Main Results:

• Rural residents exhibited significantly higher odds of using any tobacco, cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco compared to urban residents.
• No significant difference in cigar use was observed between rural and urban populations.
• Rural residence was associated with a higher number of tobacco products used overall, but not among those already using any tobacco product.

Conclusions:

• Rural-urban disparities in tobacco use persist, particularly for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.
• Findings underscore the importance of focusing surveillance, prevention, and cessation efforts on these specific products in rural areas.
• Targeted interventions are necessary to address the unique tobacco use patterns observed in rural U.S. adults.