Smoking Prevalence: National surveys indicate that smoking prevalence among homeless adults is approximately 73%⁸⁷ compared with 17.8% among the general population.

Cessation:

• A 2009 nationally representative survey found that, despite having a quit ratio less than half of that seen in the U.S. general population, homeless smokers did not differ from non-homeless smokers in their rates of desire to quit.88 More homeless episodes were found to be associated with lower odds of successful cessation.⁸⁷

Health Effects:

• Much of the homeless population suffers from medical conditions as a result of exposure to the cold, poor nutrition and hygiene, and risky behaviors. Smoking exacerbates many of these conditions.⁸⁹
• Homeless smokers may be more likely to smoke discarded cigarette butts or used filters or to share cigarettes to save money. These behaviors put them at greater risk for infectious diseases, cancer, respiratory illness, and cardiovascular disease.⁸⁹
• Undeserved & Overlooked: Tobacco Addiction Among the Homeless Population [1]
• Frequently Asked Questions About this Population [2]

Marketing:

• In 1994, the Phillip Morris (under the brand name Merit) donated 7,000 blankets to homeless shelters in Brooklyn, in order to “generate media coverage.”⁶⁰
• RJR directly targeted the homeless as part of an urban marketing plan in the 1990s, focused on the advertising of ‘‘value’’ brands to ‘‘street people.’’⁹⁰
• In 1995, one tobacco company developed a marketing plan aimed at homeless people and gays. They called it project SCUM: Sub Culture Urban Marketing.⁹¹