Environmental influences, employment status,and religious activity predictcurrent cigarette smoking in the elderly

The objective of this study was to describe the smoking histories, patterns of cigarette use, and quitting behaviors in a predominantly African Americ an sample of older adults. Study participants were a convenience sample of senior center attendees in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Self-repor t questionnaires were used to measure depression, nicotine dependence, smok ing motives, and readiness to quit. Results showed that living with another smoker increased the likelihood of current smoking (odds ratio=2.07, 95% C I=1.72-36.73) Being employed or seeking work was also associated with a hig her likelihood of current smoking (odds ratio=2.73, 95% CI=2.00-118.76). Su bjects who reported less frequent participation in organized religious acti vities were also more likely to smoke (odds ratio=2.04, 95% CI=1.17-50.38). Both former and current smokers identified personal will power and physici an advice as the two most influential:factors in successful smoking cessati on. However, current smokers:believed that nicotine replacement would aid i n a successful cessation attempt, while former smokers did not endorse the efficacy of these products. The findings are discussed in terms of implicat ions for intervention. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.