A new study from the American Journal of Public Health finds that smoke-free homes may result in less smoking among low income smokers and more successful quitting.

The study used data from the 2006-2007 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. Researchers analyzed data to determine if higher cigarette prices and smoke-free homes were associated with smoking behaviors and how they may vary among people of different income levels.

Results indicated that higher cigarette prices and living in smoke-free homes were associated with less smoking among all income levels. Further, only smoke-free homes were associated with sustained quitting success of more than 90 days. Unique to lower income individuals, results showed that smoke-free home options were related to less smoking and higher rates of successful quitting than those of the same income level not living in smoke-free homes. The study notes, however, that individuals living below the federal poverty line were less likely to live in smoke-free homes compared those of higher income levels.

"Our results underscore the need for interventions to encourage the adoption of smoke-free homes among low-income populations to increase cessation and prevent relapse. Such interventions may include public health interventions to increase regulation of secondhand smoking in public housing, or educational interventions to increase adoption of these restrictions among low-income populations," the authors suggest.