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Nicotine & Tobacco Research Advance Access published online on April 9, 2009
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, doi:10.1093/ntr/ntp043
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

The early health consequences of smoking: Relationship with psychosocial factors among treatment-seeking Black smokers

Monica S. Webb and Michael P. Carey

Monica S. Webb, Ph.D., Departments of Psychology and Biobehavioral Oncology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Michael P. Carey, Ph.D., Center for Health and Behavior, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Corresponding Author: Monica S. Webb, Ph.D., Departments of Psychology and Biobehavioral Oncology, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA. Telephone: 305-284-4290; Fax: 305-284-8331; E-mail: mwebb{at}miami.edu


  Abstract

Introduction: Blacks suffer disproportionately from the long-term health effects of smoking. Little is known about the prevalence of the early health consequences of smoking in this population or whether psychosocial factors influence the frequency of symptoms. This study investigated the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of smoking-related physical symptoms in Black smokers.

Methods: Adult smokers (N = 117, 58% female, Mage = 43.0 years) who smoked at least 5 cigarettes/day completed self-administered assessments of cigarettes smoked per day, smoking duration, alcohol use, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and smoking-related symptoms.

Results: The most frequently occurring physical symptoms were shortness of breath (66%), coughing (50%), and headaches (49%). Multivariate analyses showed that smoking history, alcohol use, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms were independently related to smoking-related symptoms, even after controlling for sociodemographic variables and medical diagnoses.

Discussion: The early health consequences of smoking appear to be common among Black smokers and can serve as a cue to action for cessation efforts. Alcohol use, stress, and depression appear to negatively influence the early health consequences of smoking and should be assessed routinely in treatment-seeking Black smokers.

Received: June 23, 2008; Accepted: October 21, 2008
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