Although cigarette smoking has declined significantly since 1964,
disparities in tobacco use remain across groups defined by race, ethnicity, educational level, and socioeconomic status and across regions of the country. Priority Populations are groups that use tobacco at higher rates than the general population and experience higher rates of secondhand smoke exposure. Youth and young adults are two populations at particular risk. Additional populations that warrant special attention for the advancement of health equity include:
- African Americans
- American Indians or Alaska Natives
- Armed services members and military veterans
- Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, or Pacific Islanders
- Hispanics/Latinx
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, (LGBTQ+) individuals
- People of lower socioeconomic status (SES)
- People who live in rural communities
- People with mental health and/or substance use disorders (MH/SUD)
Mecklenburg County Snapshot
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a state‐based system of health surveys that collects information on health risk behaviors, preventive health practices, and health care access primarily related to chronic disease and injury. Below is the 2020 tobacco behavior data for adults aged 18 and older in Mecklenburg County.
|
| Male | Female | White | Black | Other | Latinx | <HS
| HS +
| < $50k
| $50k+ |
Currently smoking
| 11.6% | 14.6%
| 9% | 10.5% | 14.1% | 12.6% | 9.2% | 18.4% | 9.1% | 21.7% | 4.8% |
Secondhand Smoke Exposure |
| Home | 7.4% | 7.3% | 7.5% | 4.8% | 11.4% | N/A | N/A | 14.3% | 4.7% | 12.5% | 4.1% |
| Work | 2.74% | 4% | 1.6% | 1.7% | 2% | N/A | 6.4% | 4% | 2.3% | 5.1% | 0.8% |
|
Smoking Cessation |
Tried to Quit
| 52.1% | 46.8% | 59.7% | 52.6% | 54.1% | N/A | N/A | 38.6% | 62.6% | 55.4% | 46.3% |
Health Professional
Advised
|
61.9% |
61.6% |
62.3% |
64.9% |
70.5% |
N/A |
N/A |
66.2% |
58.6% |
59.8% |
91.9% |
Health Professional Recommended...
Medicines to Quit Smoking: N/A
Medicines and Methods to Quit Smoking: 15.5%
|
|
Social Justice
Tobacco use is not an equal opportunity killer.
Smoking disproportionately affects those most in need such as the poor, the homeless, racial minorities, LGBTQ persons, and those suffering frommental illness and substance use disorders. There are up to 10 times more tobacco ads in back neighborhoods than in other neighborhoods.
Saving Black Lives: African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council
Black Lives, Black Lungs
COVID-19 Big Quit
This online campaign across Mecklenburg County's priority neighborhoods encourages tobacco users to quit for good.
According to the CDC, people who smoke or vape are more likely to suffer severe complications and hospitalization if they get COVID-19. The campaign runs in conjunction with
No Menthol Sunday, an
observance day led by the Center for Black Health & Equity to educate the community about tobacco, menthol, vaping, and the role of flavors.
Active Military and Veterans
Service members or military veterans are more likely to use tobacco products than civilians. About 1 in 3 veterans use tobacco.
Many service members start using tobacco after they enter military service, and cigarette smoking is more common among service members who have been deployed overseas.
In addition to adversely affecting their health, the high prevalence of tobacco use among military and veteran personnel also has a significant financial impact. In 2014, tobacco use cost the Department of Defense nearly $1.8 billion in medical and non-medical costs.Learn more >>
People with Lower Socioeconomic Status
In the U.S., people living below the poverty level and people having lower levels of educational attainment–or lower socioeconomic status (SES)—have higher rates of cigarette smoking than the general population.
Smoking also disproportionately affects the health of people with low SES. Lower income cigarette smokers suffer more from diseases caused by smoking than do smokers with higher incomes. Plus, tobacco companies often target their advertising campaigns toward low-income neighborhoods and communities.
Learn more >>
LGBTQ Community
Smoking among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States is much higher than among heterosexual/straight adults. About 1 in 5 lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults smoke cigarettes, compared with about 1 in 7 heterosexual/straight adults. Cigarette smoking is also higher among transgender adults than among adults whose gender identity corresponds with their birth sex (cisgender).
Learn more >>
Tobacco Use in LGBTQ Communities:
Truth Initiative:
Tobacco Impact Model for the U.S Adult LGBTQ+ Community: National LGBT Cancer Network
Fact Sheets: LGBT HealthLink
Charlotte Pride: Tobacco-Free Mecklenburg partners on the annual Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade to share tobacco-free messages and motiviation to Mecklenburg County's LGBTQ community.
Resources
Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control: Best Practice User Guide: (CDC)
National African American Tobacco Prevention Network (NAATPN)
Action on Smoking & Health
Tobacco Education Clearinghouse of California
Truth Initiative: Tobacco Is a Social Justice Issue: Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Tobacco Industry Marketing: (CDC)
Center for Tobacco Products: (FDA)
Fact Sheets
Cigarillos
Menthol Quick Talking Points
Juul Fact Sheet
How Smoking and Nicotine Damage Your Body: American Heart Association
Contact:
For more information, contact Kim Bayha, Tobacco Prevention & Control Program Supervisor, 704-614-7805 or
Kimberly.Bayha@MeckNC.gov.