Effects of Disasters on Smoking and Relapse: An Exploratory Study of Hurricane Katrina Victims

American Journal of Health Education
Jennifer Q LanctotKenneth Ward

Abstract

Psychosocial stress maintains cigarette use and precipitates relapse, but little is known about how natural disasters in particular affect smoking. To determine the feasibility of recruiting victims soon after a natural disaster for a survey study, and to assess the types and determinants of changes in smoking behavior resulting from exposure to the disaster. A convenience sample of 35 Hurricane Katrina refugees who had smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime were surveyed one month after the storm to evaluate changes in smoking behavior. Among a small sample of former smokers, more than half relapsed after Katrina, citing stress, urge, and sadness. Among current smokers, 52% increased their smoking after Katrina by more than half a pack per day on average. Most individuals who increased their smoking or relapsed expressed interest in receiving cessation assistance within the next month. Stress-related increases in smoking and relapse may be common after a natural disaster. Health education professionals have an important role to play in responding to changes in tobacco use in the aftermath of disasters. Educational interventions to discourage tobacco use as a coping strategy may be especially warranted given the high...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 19, 2020·Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·Shihoko KoyamaIsao Miyashiro
Jan 1, 2013·Forum for Health Economics & Policy·Jean M AbrahamThomas DeLeire
May 20, 2020·Cadernos de saúde pública·Andre Luiz Oliveira da SilvaStella Regina Martins
Nov 20, 2019·Journal of Public Health·Khalid A KheirallahFawaz Mzayek
Feb 22, 2014·The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research·Judith L Teich, Michael R Pemberton
Jan 31, 2021·Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official Journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco·Philip GendallSusanna Every-Palmer
Mar 7, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Jessica M YingstJonathan Foulds
Aug 18, 2020·Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry·Jasmina MalletYann Le Strat
Jun 3, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Kristina SchnitzerGina R Kruse

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