Evaluating the Causal Effect of COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Orders on Combustible Tobacco Use

This study adds to the literature on the impacts of population-level stressors on smoking behaviors. In the United States, COVID-19 Stay-At-Home orders only resulted in a decline in the prevalence of smoking among those with poor mental health. The prevalence of tobacco use among those with mental health conditions has remained elevated compared to the general population, suggesting this reduction is significant for public health interventions. Understanding how this vulnerable population changed its smoking behavior due to the pandemic may inform future interventions aimed at reducing tobacco use among those with poor mental health.