Smokefree laws and hazardous drinking: A cross-sectional study among U.S. adults

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco and alcohol use are strongly associated behaviors. Smokefree laws reduce smoking prevalence and cigarette consumption, but knowledge on smokefree laws’ effect on alcohol use is limited. We examined the association between smokefree law coverage and hazardous drinking behaviors among US adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses among a population- based sample of US adults using 2009 National Health Interview Survey data, American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation U.S. Tobacco Control Laws Database, and US Census Population Estimates. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the association between smokefree law coverage (combining workplaces, restaurants, and bars) and smokefree bar law coverage (alone) with two measures of hazardous drinking (heavy drinking and binge drinking) among (1) current drinkers (N=17,057) and (2) current drinking smokers (n=4074), controlling for sociodemographics and current smoking. RESULTS: Smokefree law coverage was not associated with heavy drinking (OR=1.22, 95% CI=0.99-1.50, P=.055) or binge drinking (OR=1.09, 95% CI=0.93-1.26, P=.281) among current drinkers. Among current drinking smokers, smokefree law coverage was unrelated to heavy drinking (OR=1.11, 95% CI=0.84-1.48, P=.453) or binge drinking (OR=1.14, 95% CI=0.89-1.46, P=.294). Similarly, smokefree bar law coverage was unrelated to the two hazardous drinking outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Smokefree law coverage was not associated with hazardous drinking, providing further evidence that smokefree laws are not associated with increased alcohol consumption. Funding: National Cancer Institute Grant CA-061021 Corresponding Author: Nan Jiang, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, nanjiang@ hku.hk