Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure, nicotine dependence, and smoking cessation

Objective: To explore the association among the number of sources of secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure, nicotine dependence (ND), and smoking cessation. Design: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data. Responses for the main study were obtained in 2001 from a controlled trial of the Quit and Win Tobacco Free Contest in Kentucky. Sample: 822 current smokers. Measurements: Demographic variables (age, gender, educational status, income, and ethnicity) the number of sources of SHS exposure, smoking frequency, length of abstinence from smoking, age of smoking initiation, smoking cessation attempts, intentions to quit smoking, and ND. Results: The number of sources of SHS exposure was associated with higher ND and smoking frequency, and related to low intentions and attempts to quit smoking. The number of sources of SHS exposure contributed to 11% of the variance in the final ND model, after accounting for control and potential mediating variables. Conclusions: The number of sources of SHS exposure may be an important factor influencing ND and intentions and attempts to quit smoking. Further studies are needed to explore the association between SHS exposure and ND among smokers to guide treatment and policy development.