Health Indicator Report of Smoking Among Adults

A new weighting methodology that better represents populations of low socioeconomic status and added cell phone interviews produced a higher estimated smoking rate for Utah adults compared to previous estimates that were based on post-stratification by age, sex, and local health district.

Notes

Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 population. Note: At the time of this update, the BRFSS U.S. dataset did not include an age variable but did include five age categories up to age 80+ (vs. the typical weighting scheme that includes 85+). Comparisons with both weighting schemes were compared using Utah data, and the difference was about 1/100 of a percentage point.

Data Interpretation Issues

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey is conducted with a representative sample of non-institutionalized Utah adults living in households with a landline telephone. In 2010, the BRFSS added cell phone interviews to the survey protocol and introduced a new weighting methodology that better represents populations of low socioeconomic status. More details about these changes can be found at: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/pdf/opha/resource/brfss/RakingImpact2011.pdf]. Due to these changes survey results from the years before 2010 are not comparable to results observed in 2010 or later. The 2010 estimated adult smoking rate was higher compared to rates from previous years that were based on post-stratification by age, sex, and local health district. As with all telephone surveys, data may be subject to error as resulting from non-coverage (e.g., lower telephone coverage among some low SES populations), non-response (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or answer specific questions), or measurement (e.g. social desirability or recall bias). Interviewer training and monitoring and strict adherence to good survey research protocols reduce errors from these sources.

Definition

Current smoking: Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who smoke cigarettes every day or some days.[[br]] [[br]] Quit attempt: Percentage of current smokers aged 18 years and older who reported that they stopped smoking for one day or longer in the past 12 months because they were trying to quit.

Numerator

Current smoking: Number of adults aged 18 years and older who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their life time and who now report smoking cigarettes every day or some days.[[br]] [[br]] Quit attempt: Number of survey respondents who reported being current smokers and stopping smoking for one day or longer in the past 12 months because they were trying to quit.

Denominator

Current smokers: Number of adults aged 18 years and older.[[br]] [[br]] Quit attempt: Number of survey respondents who reported being current cigarette smokers.

Other Objectives

Utah's 42 Community Health Indicators[[br]] CSTE Chronic Disease Indicators

How Are We Doing?

The Utah adult smoking rate has decreased significantly since the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Tobacco Prevention and Control Program started receiving Master Settlement Agreement funds in 2000. People with lower household incomes and fewer years of formal education report higher rates of tobacco use than the general population. Approximately 70% of Utah adults who smoke cigarettes intend to quit within the next year. Comprehensive and free tobacco cessation services help Utahns who use tobacco products quit successfully and ensure declines in tobacco use rates across population groups.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

In 2022, the Utah adult smoking rate was 6.9% compared to the national rate of 13.4%. (Rates are age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population.)

What Is Being Done?

The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (TPCP) at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services and its partners use comprehensive programs to prevent young people from starting to use tobacco, help tobacco users quit, promote tobacco-free environments, and reduce tobacco-related disparities. These programs include an extensive anti-tobacco marketing campaign, free and confidential tobacco cessation services, school- and community-based prevention programs, and efforts to improve tobacco-free policies. These policies support tobacco-free norms and protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. The marketing campaign uses television, radio, billboard, print, and online media to reach youth, adults, pregnant women, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural populations with anti-tobacco messages. The goals of the campaign are to counter tobacco industry promotions, inform Utahns about quitting services, and support local tobacco control efforts. Quit services available to Utahns are accessible through the Utah tobacco cessation website, [http://www.waytoquit.org], and include a toll-free Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW), individual services that allow tobacco users to choose from a combination of quit medications, e-mail, chat, or text messages, and print materials, and a web-based tobacco cessation program. The TPCP also partners with community health clinics to offer counseling services for uninsured or under-insured tobacco users. Efforts to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke focus on strengthening tobacco-free policies in apartment complexes, workplaces, schools, and outdoor venues frequented by children.

Available Services

The Utah Tobacco Quitline offers assistance in quitting tobacco use through phone counseling, web-based services, text, email, and free nicotine replacement therapy (based on eligibility). For services and information call the Utah Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit Utah's tobacco cessation website at [http://www.waytoquit.org].

Health Program Information

To receive more information about tobacco prevention and control programs in Utah visit [https://tobaccofree.utah.gov/]. For information on quitting tobacco use, visit [http://www.waytoquit.org] or call the Utah Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.