Associations between Perceived Racial Discrimination and Tobacco Cessation among Diverse Treatment Seekers

Objectives: This study investigated a) racial/ethnic differences in past-year discrimination experiences and b) associa­tions between discrimination and smoking abstinence. Design: Prospective, longitudinal analysis of smoking status. Perceived past-year discrimi­nation was assessed at baseline. ANCOVAs and intent-to-treat hierarchical logistic regressions were conducted. Setting: Dual-site (Tampa, FL and Miami, FL) randomized controlled trial testing the effects of a group cessation intervention plus pharmacotherapy. Participants: Treatment-seeking adult smokers (N=347; non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic African American/Black, or Hispanic). Main Outcome Measures: Biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence (7-day ppa) was assessed immediately post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up. Results: After controlling for covari­ates, African Americans/Blacks reported greater perceived discrimination compared with non-Hispanic Whites (P=.02), and Hispanics (P=.06). Non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics did not differ in perceived racial/ethnic discrimination experiences over the past year. Irrespective of race/ ethnicity, past-year perceived discrimina­tion was inversely associated with 7-day ppa, both post-intervention (AOR=.97, CI: .95-.99) and at 6-months (AOR=.98, CI: .96-.99). Among African Americans/Blacks, past-year perceived discrimination was inversely associated with 7-day ppa, both post-intervention (AOR=.95, CI: .92-.97) and at 6-months (AOR=.97, CI: .94-.99). Perceived discrimination was unrelated to 7-day ppa among Hispanics. Among non-Hispanic Whites, past-year perceived discrimination was inversely associated with post-intervention 7-day ppa (AOR=.95, CI: .91-.99), but not 6-months. Conclusions: Perceived racial/ethnic discrimination was greater among African American/Black smokers compared with non-Hispanic Whites. Perceived discrimina­tion was negatively associated with tobacco cessation in the full sample, and for African Americans at 6-months post-intervention. These data have implications for interven­tion delivery and health disparities. Ethn Dis. 2020;30(3):411-420; doi:10.18865/ed.30.3.411