Lived Experiences of Food Insecurity among Adults Who Have Ever Smoked Tobacco.

Abstract

Food insecurity and smoking are bidirectionally related due to factors such as poverty, stress, and hunger. This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of food insecurity among low-income individuals who have ever smoked, to understand the burden of food insecurity in relation to current smoking status. Participants were recruited from community-based settings and reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Participants experienced complex challenges and employed various coping strategies to address food insecurity alongside various life circumstances. A better understanding of the lived experiences of food insecurity is paramount to address intersecting adverse health behaviors, such as smoking.