Health Disparities in Tobacco Smoking and Smoke Exposure

Abstract

Key Points: -While overall smoking rates have decreased in the USA, disparities related to tobacco smoking by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status persist. -Secondhand smoke exposure also differs by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, but objective measurement using cotinine levels is complex because nicotine metabolism differs by gender, race/ethnicity, and type of cigarette consumed. -Reporting aggregate data on racial/ethnic groups, sampling strategies that capture small numbers of disparate groups, and low response rates to national surveys are examples of some of the methodological challenges that infl uence the study of tobacco-related health disparities. -Comprehensive tobacco control programs are essential in developing strategies to reduce health disparities in tobacco-related respiratory diseases.