The smoking behaviors of incarcerated smokers

Abstract

To determine smoking behaviors, quit attempts, and cessation preferences among incarcerated smokers, a cross-sectional survey was given to a sample of inmates from three state prison facilities in the United States. A majority of Black smokers (62%) identified as smokers, and 38% identified as ex-smokers, as compared to 46.4 percent of smokers (and 53.6% of ex-smokers) in the non-Black group. There were significant differences in the number of cigarettes smoked per day with non-Black smokers smoking one pack ( M = 20.44, standard deviation = 15.86) than Black smokers ( M = 14.49, standard deviation = 13.43; t = −2.50, p = 0.014). Smoking cessation interventions are needed to reduce smoking during incarceration.