The prevalence and correlates of single cigarette selling among urban disadvantaged drug users in Baltimore, Maryland.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Selling of single cigarettes, also known as loosies, is a public health concern. Loosies allow for those with fewer resources to buy cigarettes without having to purchase a pack. Selling of loosies may cue smoking behaviors. In the US, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations have high rates of smoking and illicit drug use and the selling of loosies appears to be linked to the urban informal economy. We examined the proportion and frequency of cigarette selling and roles in the informal economy associated with selling loosies among a sample of urban drug users.

Methods

There were 801 participants, recruited by community outreach, assessed at baseline, who were enrolled in an HIV prevention intervention for drug users.

Results

Most (89%) smoked cigarettes

SUBMITTER: Latkin CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3737406 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature