Trends in Cigarette Smoking Rates and Quit Attempts Among Adults With and Without Diagnosed Diabetes: Findings From 2001 to 2010 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System

BACKGROUND:  We examined trends in prevalence of current smoking and quit attempts among US adults with and without diagnosed diabetes in recent ten years.

METHODS:  We used data from the 2001−2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n=3,466,489), a state-based, telephone survey of non-institutionalized US adults. Linear trend analysis was conducted

RESULTS: The prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults with diagnosed diabetes was 16.8% in 2001 and 15.4% in 2010. The comparable prevalence among adults without diagnosed diabetes was 23.2% and 17.3%, respectively.  Declines in smoking prevalence were more remarkable among adults without diabetes (0.67% annually) than adults with diagnosed diabetes (0.25% annually) (P<0.001). Among smokers, the adjusted prevalence of quit attempts among adults with diagnosed diabetes was 13% higher than adults without diabetes. Among adults aged 18 to 44 and those with less than high school education, quit attempts among smokers with diabetes were stable over time. Quit attempts were also stable for non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics regardless of diabetes status. 

CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking has declined, but declines were less among individuals with diabetes, younger adults, minorities and those with lower levels of education. Future research should examine the effectiveness of counseling and/or cessation medications for smokers with diabetes and should assess the impact of targeted interventions.