RELIGIOUS PREDICTORS OF CIGARETTE-SMOKING - FINDINGS FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE

Data from a community-based survey of 252 African American women 18 to 44 years of age were used to examine the relation between cigarette s moking and two measures of religious involvement. Findings indicated t hat cigarette smoking among African American women of childbearing age is related to their denominational affiliation. Specifically, Penteco stal women had significantly lower odds of being a current smoker and higher odds of quitting smoking than did women who belonged to other r eligious denominations. No significant association was found, however, between smoking and the degree of religiosity. Older age and lower le vel of education predicted current smoking, whereas having few daily h assles was associated with quitting smoking.