Smokeless tobacco and dual use among firefighters in the central United States.

Nattinee Jitnarin,Walker S C Poston,Sara Jahnke,Christopher K Haddock

doi:10.1155/2013/675426

Nattinee Jitnarin, Walker S C Poston + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/675426

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Abstract

Little is known about smokeless tobacco (SLT) use in the fire service, whose personnel need to maintain high levels of health and fitness given the rigorous physical and mental job requirements. We examined the relationships among variables associated with SLT use and dual tobacco use (SLT and smoking) among 353 male career firefighters. Around 13% of male career firefighters reported being current exclusive SLT users, and 2.6% used both cigarettes and SLT. Age-adjusted models revealed that race, binge drinking, and dietary fat consumption were positively associated with exclusive SLT use when compared to nontobacco users. SLT users were much more likely to binge drink (OR = 3.98, P < .01) and consume high fat foods (OR = 1.94, P < .05). Only high dietary fat consumption was a strong correlate (OR = 8.41, P < .05) of dual use when compared to nontobacco users. SLT and dual tobacco use are associated with significant health risks. Detailed information on the predictors of SLT use among firefighters will aid in developing more effective tobacco prevention and cessation intervention in fire service.

Highlights

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA
353 firefighters were included in the current data analysis; 13.3% (n = 57) were smokeless tobacco (SLT) users only, 2.6% (n = 11) were dual users of cigarettes and SLT, and 67.1% (n = 285) were nontobacco users
SLT users were predominantly Caucasian with a college education or less, and a household income less than $75,000

Summary

Introduction

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA. The use of the other forms such as smokeless tobacco (SLT) has increased [1, 2]. This suggests that smokers might use SLT as a substitute for cigarettes due to restrictions on smoking (e.g., indoor smoking laws), participation in smoking cessation programs, and/or the perception that SLT products confer lower morbidity and mortality risks [3]. Various SLT products have been suggested as alternatives to smoking and/or as a harm reduction strategy [4], but there is limited evidence establishing the effectiveness of such an approach [5]. A number of studies concluded that SLT use is related to several types of cancer (i.e., oral cancer, pancreatic cancer) [8]

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