Abstract
INTRODUCTION: People with disabilities, approximately 25 % of the population, have a higher prevalence of smoking cigarettes and using various tobacco products; however, little is known about multiple tobacco product (MTP) use among this population. This study assessed patterns of MTP use among people with disabilities. METHODS: Data from the 2019-2022 National Health Interview Study were analyzed to estimate the prevalence of single tobacco, MTP, and specific combinations of MTP (multiple combusted, combusted and non-combusted) use among adults with any disability and six disability domains (cognitive, communication, hearing, mobility, self-care, vision). Multinomial logistic regression models examined the association between MTP use and disability status. RESULTS: People with any disability had higher odds of single tobacco product use (aOR = 1.35; 95 % CI 1.26, 1.45) and MTP use (aOR = 1.81; 95 % CI 1.57, 2.09) compared to those without any disability, which included multiple combusted use (aOR = 2.01; 95 % CI 1.62, 2.51) and multiple combusted/non-combusted use (aOR = 1.70; 95 % CI 1.43, 2.02). Higher odds of multiple combusted use were also found among those with cognitive, hearing, mobility, and vision disabilities and higher odds of multiple combusted/non-combusted use were found among those with cognitive and vision disabilities compared to those without the respective disability. CONCLUSION: People with disabilities have higher odds of MTP use and therefore may be exposed to more toxicants and at risk for more severe nicotine dependence than those without a disability. Future research should investigate reasons for MTP use in this population and tailored cessation interventions may need to account for MTP use.