The association between indoor smoke-free home rules and the use of cigar and smokeless tobacco: A longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION: The existence of an indoor smoke-free home rule is associated with lower use of cigar and smokeless tobacco. This study aims to use a longitudinal sample to examine the association between smoke-free home rules and the cessation and uptake of these two types of tobacco products.

METHOD: The Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey surveyed 28,153 adults in May 2010 and then followed them up 12months later. Data from these two surveys and multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the association between overtime smoke-free home rule status and the use of cigar and smokeless tobacco.

RESULTS: Among respondents who used cigar in 2010, having an indoor smoke-free home rules consistently (AOR=2.41, 95% CI=1.52-3.83) and adopting one during the 12-month period (AOR=1.92, 95% CI=1.01-3.68) increased the likelihood of not using cigar in 2011, compared to not having or forgoing a home rule over time. Among adults who had never used cigar by 2010, those having a rule consistently (AOR=0.47, 95% CI=0.38-0.71) were less likely to initiate cigar use. Having a smoke-free home rule consistently was also associated with lower likelihood of start using smokeless tobacco (AOR=0.52, 95% CI=0.35-0.78). Nevertheless, there is no evidence indicating that the adoption of a rule is correlated with the cessation of smokeless tobacco.

CONCLUSION: The establishment of indoor smoke-free home rules may help reduce cigar use and prevent the uptake of cigar and smokeless tobacco. Such findings call for research using experimental design to further examine the impact of home rules on the use of cigar and smokeless tobacco.