COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Cigarette Smoking Habits in Adults with Chronic Lung Conditions

Strategic Insights -

According to a recent study published in the AJPM Focus journal, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a differential impact on cigarette smoking habits across racial and ethnic groups in adults with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The study analyzed data from 10,763 adults aged 40 years with a history of COPD and/or asthma, surveyed in the 2019, 2021, and 2023 National Health Interview Survey.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that about one-fifth (20%) of U.S. adults diagnosed with COPD and asthma reported current cigarette smoking, with the mean number of days of cigarette smoking in the past 30 days being 27 days and the mean number of cigarettes smoked in the past 30 days being 14.
  • Hispanic individuals had the lowest prepandemic rates of current cigarette smoking (10.5%), but showed a significant increase during the pandemic, with rates rising to 14.9%.
  • Non-Hispanic White individuals, who showed the highest rates of current cigarette smoking (21.1%) during the pandemic, were the only racial/ethnic group to show a significant decline in the postpandemic period (19.8%).
  • The pandemic had a detrimental effect on cigarette smoking habits among Hispanic individuals, while non-Hispanic White individuals showed an improvement.
  • Future research should investigate the factors behind these changes to develop targeted interventions.

Statistics:

  • 20% of U.S. adults diagnosed with COPD and asthma reported current cigarette smoking.
  • Hispanic individuals had the lowest prepandemic rates of current cigarette smoking (10.5%).
  • Non-Hispanic White individuals had the highest rates of current cigarette smoking (21.1%) during the pandemic.
  • The mean number of cigarettes smoked in the past 30 days was 14.
  • The study analyzed data from 10,763 adults aged 40 years with a history of COPD and/or asthma.

Sources:

  • AJPM Focus. Cigarette Smoking Patterns Among Racial and Ethnic Groups With Chronic Lung Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic. 2025,4(3):100310.
  • The publisher for AJPM Focus is Elsevier.
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.focus.2024.100310 (free version of the journal article)