Delawareans with current asthma who smoke--a snapshot.

Abstract

Objective: Because they experience respiratory symptoms, adults with asthma might be expected to avoid cigarette smoking. This study sought to determine whether Delawareans with asthma are less likely to smoke cigarettes than members of the general population.

Methods: The authors used data from a combined sample of 8,560 Delaware adults (ages 18 years or older) who participated in the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (2011 and 2012). Sampling weights were used in all analyses. In this cross-sectional study, 827 participants reported a physician diagnosis of asthma.

Results: The prevalence of cigarette smoking is similar in Delawareans with and without asthma (20.91 percent and 20.30 percent respectively). After controlling for gender, race, and education, younger age groups had significantly higher odds of being current smokers. There was evidence that young adults (18-44 years) were six times more likely to be current smokers as compared to the 65 or older reference group.

Conclusions: Delawareans with asthma do not appear to selectively avoid cigarette smoking. Specific smoking prevention and cessation efforts should be targeted to adults with asthma.