Tobacco use among the job-seeking unemployed in California

Objective. Given the current economic climate, with 8.1% unemployment nationally and 10.6% among the Californian labor force in August 2012, employers can be more selective in their hiring decisions, and individuals who smoke may be at a serious economic disadvantage. The current study examined the association between cigarette smoking and employment status among adults in California, a state with strong antitobacco sentiment. Method. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from the 2007 and 2009 California Health Interview Survey on 68,501 noninstitutionalized adults age 20-65. Results. The job-seeking unemployed had the highest smoking prevalence (20.9%) relative to the non-jobseeking unemployed (15.9%) and employed (14.8%). In a multivariate multinomial logistic regression that controlled for demographic factors and other risk characteristics (obesity, binge drinking), current (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.01-1.49) but not former smoking status (AOR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.76-1.19) was significantly associated with being unemployed and job-seeking. Conclusions. Smokers in California were more likely than never and former smokers to be unemployed. Employment service agencies may be well placed for reaching smokers and treating tobacco dependence. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.