Targeting African American nonsmokers to motivate smokers to quit: a qualitative inquiry

Health Educ Behav. 2010 Oct;37(5):680-93. doi: 10.1177/1090198110363881.

Abstract

African Americans bear a disproportionate health burden from smoking but are less likely than other populations to engage in cessation treatment. Intervening on adult nonsmokers residing with a smoker might represent an innovative approach to motivate smokers to engage in smoking behavior change. Twelve focus groups were conducted with African American smokers (four groups, n = 27), nonsmokers (four groups, n = 26) and pairs of cohabitating smokers and nonsmokers (four groups, n = 22) to assess attitudes and/or beliefs regarding engaging a nonsmoker in the home in smoking behavior change efforts. Participants ( N = 75) were middle-aged (45.1 ±3.7 years) females (68.0%) with 11.8 ±1.5 years of education. Smokers smoked 14.9 ±11.3 cigarettes per day, made 3.0 ±4.4 quit attempts in the past year, and are interested in receiving cessation assistance from a nonsmoker in their home. African American nonsmokers living with a smoker may be an appropriate target group to motivate smoking behavior change in the smoker. Suggestions for future research considerations are provided.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black or African American*
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Qualitative Research
  • Smoking Cessation / methods*
  • Social Support
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution