Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Although smoking prevalence has significantly decreased, it remains highest among individuals of low socio-economic status and young adults (YA). A relationship between social inequalities in smoking and neighbourhood-level deprivation has also been found with higher smoking prevalence reported in high deprivation neighbourhoods. What remains unclear is the relationship between neighbourhood-level deprivation and smoking in YA. We sought to examine YAs' experience of smoking in relation to the deprivation level of their neighbourhood to better understand social inequalities in smoking. This qualitative descriptive study was undertaken in the context of the Interdisciplinary Study of Inequalities in Smoking, which examines the relationship between neighbourhood deprivation and social inequalities in smoking among YA in Montreal. We used secondary data collected through nine focus groups with YA (4 men, 5 women; 18-25 years old) residing in four Montreal neighbourhoods (2 high, 2 low deprivation). We used the collective lifestyles framework to guide thematic analysis and explore within and between neighbourhood social norms and practices. Each neighbourhood had unique local smoking-related social norms and practices. Yet, we observed similarities by neighbourhood-level deprivation. Permissive smoking-related social norms in high-deprivation neighbourhoods made it difficult to avoid smoking and/or quit. Conversely, strict anti-smoking norms within low-level deprivation neighbourhoods resulted in smoking in secret and/or only amidst 'acceptable' social settings. Smoking-related social norms and practices among YA seem to vary according to neighbourhood-level deprivation. Findings reveal the possible influence of neighbourhoods in reproducing social inequalities in smoking among YA. They also allow us to advocate for policies and interventions that consider the impact that norms and practices in neighbourhoods can have on social inequalities in YA smoking.