Characterizing and identifying 'hard-core' smokers: Implications for further reducing smoking prevalence

S. Emery, E.A. Gilpin, C. Ake, A.J. Farkas and J.P. Pierce

American Journal of Public Health, 2000, vol. 90, issue 3, 387-394

Abstract: Objectives. Some smokers may never quit. Depending on how many of these 'hard-core' smokers exist, tobacco control efforts could reach the limits of a minimum achievable smoking prevalence. We defined the hard core as heavy smokers with weak quitting histories who expect never quit smoking. We compared them with other smokers and analyzed whether they represent a meaningful barrier to further reducing smoking prevalence. Methods. We used data from the 1996 California Tobacco Surveys (18616 adults; response rate = 72.9%). Results. In 1996, 5.2% of California smokers 26 years and older (1.3% of the California population) were hard-core smokers. Compared with other smokers, hard-core smokers were more likely to be retired non-Hispanic White males, with 12 years or less of education and incomes below $30000 a year, who live alone. They began smoking at younger ages and attributed fewer negative health consequences to smoking than other smokers. Conclusions. Current tobacco control effort have long way to go before they 'hit the wall.' Nonetheless, the group of hard-core smokers represents a challenge because they appear to be largely unaffected by the messages of tobacco control.

Date: 2000
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2000:90:3:387-394_1

Access Statistics for this article

American Journal of Public Health is currently edited by Alfredo Morabia

More articles in American Journal of Public Health from American Public Health Association
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Christopher F Baum ().