US Tobacco Control Policies to Reduce Health Disparities

Despite major declines in the prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. The overall decline in prevalence masks substantial disparities in adult cigarette smoking prevalence; for example, in 2014, cigarette smoking prevalence was 26.3% among those living below the federal poverty level, compared with 15.2% among those living at or above the federal poverty level. Additionally, approximately half of Black people who do not smoke are exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS), including seven in 10 Black children; and SHS exposure is more than twice as high among people who do not smoke living below the poverty level, compared with those living above the poverty level (43% vs. 21%, respectively).

To encourage research to address these disparities, NCI published a series of funding opportunities on Tobacco Control Policies to Reduce Health Disparities (PAR-18-675 and PAR-18-674). This webinar featured work from grantees funded through these opportunities.

This webinar is part of the BRP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Webinar Series, which aims to highlight research conducted or funded by NCI’s Behavioral Research Program focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. A key goal for NCI is to eliminate cancer-related disparities and to ensure health equity.