Brief report Environmental influences, employment status, and religious activity predict current cigarette smoking in the elderly Carla D. Williams a,b , Ometha Lewis-Jack b , Kamau Johnson b , Lucile Adams-Campbell a,b, * a Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Howard University Cancer Center, Room 220, 2041 Georgia Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20060, USA b Department of Psychology, Howard University, 525 Bryant Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20059, USA Abstract The objective of this study was to describe the smoking histories, patterns of cigarette use, and quitting behaviors in a predominantly African American sample of older adults. Study participants were a convenience sample of senior center attendees in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure depression, nicotine dependence, smoking motives, and readiness to quit. Results showed that living with another smoker increased the likelihood of current smoking (odds ratio = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.72 ± 36.73). Being employed or seeking work was also associated with a higher likelihood of current smoking (odds ratio = 2.73, 95% CI = 2.00± 118.76). Subjects who reported less frequent participation in organized religious activities were also more likely to smoke (odds ratio = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.17 ± 50.38). Both former and current smokers identified personal will power and physician advice as the two most influential factors in successful smoking cessation. However, current smokers believed that nicotine replacement would aid in a successful cessation attempt, while former smokers did not endorse the efficacy of these products. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for intervention. D 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Cigarette smoking; African-Americans; Elderly * Corresponding author. Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Howard University Cancer Center, Room 220, 2041 Georgia Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20060, USA. Tel.: +1-202-806-7697; fax: +1-202-667- 1686. E-mail address: ladams-campbell@howard.edu (L. Adams-Campbell). Addictive Behaviors 26 (2001) 297 ± 301 0306-4603/01/$ ± see front matter D 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII:S0306-4603(00)00102-7