Risky Combinations: The prevalence and predictors of tobacco and alsohol use within a highly socioeconomically disadvantaged sample

Issues: Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are both major modifiable risk factors for morbidity and mortality. High levels of tobacco and alcohol use have been identified within disadvantaged populations, however little is known about the prevalence of co-occurring tobacco and alcohol use in disadvantaged groups. Given the associations between alcohol use, smoking maintenance and relapse, an examination of the prevalence of these two risk behaviours have important implications for the content of smoking cessation programs targeted at disadvantaged groups. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of concurrent tobacco smoking and risky alcohol use within a disadvantaged sample. Approach: A cross sectional survey using a touch screen computer of adult clients attending a non-government social and community service organisation assessed smoking status, alcohol use, sociodemographic and psychosocial variables. Analyses were carried out in the form of logistic regressions. Key Findings: In total, 300 participants completed the survey (98%response rate).The mean age of participants was 40 years (SD = 11),55% were female and 13% were Indigenous Australian. Participants experienced significant disadvantage. 66% of respondents reported to be daily smokers and 60% reported to drink at nationally defined ‘risky’ levels. The prevalence of concurrent tobacco smoking and risky alcohol use was high at 68%. Predictors of concurrent alcohol and tobacco use will be discussed. Discussion and Conclusions: High levels of concurrent tobacco and risky alcohol use within this sample indicate that interventions that address alcohol use may improve tobacco cessation amongst socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.