Around 1 in 7 U.S. adults who smoke might have some degree of disability, according to a study published in the journal Tobacco Control.

The researchers used data from the 2019-2023 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for about 150,000 people. During that period, 14.1 percent of adults who currently smoked had a disability, and estimates for any kind of disability were significantly higher for current or former adult smokers.

The study looked at different kinds of disabilities and found that the prevalence of vision, hearing, mobility and cognitive disability was two to 2.4 times higher among those who currently smoked. About 16.5 percent of women who smoke and 12.1 percent of men who smoke have a disability, the study says. The study also looked at race and ethnicity, finding that 19 percent of non-Hispanic smokers had a disability vs. 11 percent of Hispanic smokers. The study says it is the first to estimate disability prevalence and severity by smoking status and select demographic characteristics.

“Having up to-date disability information regarding adults who smoke may help public health practitioners identify or design appropriate interventions to reduce smoking that may be effective for people with specific disabilities,” the authors write.