Our Research
Interventions to reduce tobacco use in people experiencing homelessness
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Populations experiencing homelessness have high rates of tobacco use and experience substantial barriers to cessation. Tobacco-caused conditions are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among people experiencing homelessness, highlighting an urgent need for interventions to reduce the burden of tobacco use in this population.
This paper aims to assess whether interventions designed to improve access to tobacco cessation interventions for adults experiencing homelessness lead to increased numbers engaging in or receiving treatment, and whether interventions designed to help adults experiencing homelessness to quit tobacco lead to increased tobacco abstinence. It also assesses whether tobacco cessation interventions for adults experiencing homelessness affect substance use and mental health.
Related Resources
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Our Research
Tobacco Use Patterns and Missed Opportunities for Cessation Treatment Among People Experiencing Homelessness
June 30, 2025
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Our Research
Tobacco Use Patterns and Missed Opportunities for Cessation Treatment Among People Experiencing Homelessness
June 30, 2025
People experiencing homelessness have significantly lower life expectancies than the general population, and among those aged ≥ 45, tobacco-related illnesses are the leading cause of death.[1] Compared to the general population, tobacco use among people experiencing homelessness is six times higher, and the quit ratio (ratio of former to ever-smokers) is five times lower. [2],[3] We used the largest representative study of people experiencing homelessness since the 1990s to estimate tobacco use prevalence and its association with shelter status, behavioral health, and health services use among adults experiencing homelessness in California to identify opportunities to address unmet tobacco treatment needs.
Read the Full Article
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Our Research
Tobacco Use Patterns and Missed Opportunities for Cessation Treatment Among People Experiencing Homelessness
June 30, 2025
Image
Our Research
Tobacco Use Patterns and Missed Opportunities for Cessation Treatment Among People Experiencing Homelessness
June 30, 2025
People experiencing homelessness have significantly lower life expectancies than the general population, and among those aged ≥ 45, tobacco-related illnesses are the leading cause of death.[1] Compared to the general population, tobacco use among people experiencing homelessness is six times higher, and the quit ratio (ratio of former to ever-smokers) is five times lower. [2],[3] We used the largest representative study of people experiencing homelessness since the 1990s to estimate tobacco use prevalence and its association with shelter status, behavioral health, and health services use among adults experiencing homelessness in California to identify opportunities to address unmet tobacco treatment needs.
Read the Full Article
Our Research
A Community-Based Tobacco Cessation Program for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
June 1, 2022
Our Research
A Community-Based Tobacco Cessation Program for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
June 1, 2022
People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have a high rate of tobacco use. Researchers examined factors associated with cigarette consumption and quit attempts. They found having an encounter with staff in the past week was associated with a 40% reduction in weekly consumption. The findings highlight the role of community-based pharmacists to expand smoking cessation services in homeless shelters.
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Our Research
Tobacco Cessation Behaviors Among Older Homeless Adults: Results From the HOPE HOME Study
February 26, 2016
Our Research
Tobacco Cessation Behaviors Among Older Homeless Adults: Results From the HOPE HOME Study
February 26, 2016
Tobacco-attributable deaths contribute significantly to the increased mortality observed among homeless adults aged 50 years or more. In this longitudinal cohort study, researchers examine smoking behaviors and factors associated with smoking cessation among homeless individuals aged 50 years or more. Researchers found tobacco use in older homeless adults and rates of quit attempts were similar to that observed in the general population, but successful quitting was lower.
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