Purpose: The study purpose was to examine demographic, healthcare, and contextual correlates of smoking among sexual minority women (SMW).
Methods: Data were from the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study (2010-2012, N = 726).
Results: The rate of current smoking was 29.6%, with 29.5% and 40.9% former or nonsmokers, respectively. A history of ever smoking was associated with lower educational levels, having a partner who smokes, heavy drinking, illicit drug use, and a bisexual identity. Statistically significant correlates of former versus current smoker included higher education, having a nonsmoking partner, being from the newest recruited cohort, and less illicit drug use. A past-year quit attempt among current smokers was associated with higher levels of illicit drug use, longer time until first cigarette, and being from the original cohort.
Conclusion: The study results highlight key correlates of smoking behaviors among SMW and make an important contribution to the literature on smoking disparities. Additional research is needed to inform smoking cessation prevention and control efforts to reduce known and persistent smoking disparities among SMW.
Keywords: contextual factors; correlates of smoking; demographic factors; healthcare factors; sexual minority women; smoking.