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Abstract

Introduction

Predominantly Black, Hispanic or Latino, and lower-income communities are overexposed to tobacco. This study investigated the relationship between cigarette smoking and racial/ethnic and economic segregation using the Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE). Aims and Methods

A nationally representative sample of 4091 (aged 18–34 years) was surveyed between September and October 2016. We calculated census-tract population estimates to form ICE measures for ethnicity, race, income, ethnicity and income, and race and income. Quintiles were determined, with Quintile 1 (Q1) representing the most Hispanic/Latino, Black, and lowest-income neighborhoods and Q5 representing the most non-Hispanic/Latino, White, and highest-income neighborhoods. State fixed effects logistic regression models, weighted for national representativeness, assessed the relationship between ICE measures and past 30-day cigarette use, controlling for individual smoking correlates (eg, income, race/ethnicity, tobacco use). Results

For racial/ethnic segregation alone, individuals in neighborhoods with the highest proportions of Hispanic/Latino versus non-Hispanic/Latino (Q5 vs. Q1–Q4 range 1.47–1.79) and Black versus White residents had higher smoking risk (Q5 vs. Q1 [1.41] and Q2 [1.40]). For economic segregation, individuals in Q2 and Q3 neighborhoods had higher smoking risk than those in Q5 (Q5 vs. Q2 [1.60] and Q3 [1.73]), but smoking risk did not differ between Q1 and Q5. Conclusions

In this sample, living in areas with the most Hispanic/Latino and Black residents was associated with the highest smoking risk, while living in areas with highest-income residents was associated with lowest smoking risk, even controlling for individual factors. Understanding the impact of ethnic, racial, and economic segregation on smoking behaviors informs targeted interventions to reduce tobacco overexposure. Implications

The study’s findings highlight the association between neighborhood socioeconomic factors and cigarette smoking. Racial and ethnic segregation is associated with higher smoking rates. The combined influence of racial, ethnic, and economic factors adds intricacy to the association between segregation and the risk of smoking. This research is significant as it provides valuable insights for designing focused interventions aimed at mitigating tobacco overexposure in predominantly Black, Hispanic/Latino, and low-income neighborhoods.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Notes/Citation Information

© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntae277

Funding Information

The National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities funds this research (1R01MD013338-01, MPI: K.H.). The findings presented in this publication were prepared by the referenced authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the US government.

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