Religious involvement and cigarette smoking in young adults: the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults)study (.
BACKGROUND
Results of previous studies have suggested that involvement in religious activities may be associated with lower rates of smoking. We sought to determine whether frequent attendance at religious services is associated with less smoking among young adults.


METHODS
This prospective cohort study of 4569 adults aged 20 to 32 years included approximately equal numbers of blacks and whites and men and women from 4 cities in the United States who attended the 1987/1988 examination of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Frequency of attendance at religious services and denominational affiliation were determined by self-report questionnaire in 1987/1988. Cigarette smoking was determined by interview at this time and again 3 years later.


RESULTS
Of 4544 participants who completed the tobacco questionnaire in 1987/1988, 34% (891/2598) who attended religious services less than once per month or never and 23% (451/1946) who attended religious services at least once per month reported current smoking (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-2.0; P<.001). This association between less frequent attendance at religious services and current smoking was found in most denominations and remained significant after adjusting for potential confounding variables (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.8; P<.001). During 3-year follow-up, nonsmokers who reported little or no religious involvement had an increased risk of smoking initiation (adjusted OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7; P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Young adults who attend religious services have lower rates of current and subsequent cigarette smoking. The potential health benefits associated with religious involvement deserve further study.
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Department of Medicine, University of California, San Fancisco, 94121, USA. whooley@itsa.ucsf.edu
Mary A
MA
Whooley
Alisa L
AL
Boyd
Julius M
JM
Gardin
David R
DR
Williams
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012067:Religion; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology