While smoke-free policies were associated with protection against a first AUD episode among men and women, only men experienced a greater likelihood of AUD remission in the context of smoke-free legislation. These meaningful sex differences in type of AUD transition further reiterate the importance of examining how various demographic groups respond differently to smoke-free policies. Moreover, the implementation of smoke-free policy afforded the strongest protection against new AUD onsets among public drinkers aged 18–39. Given that the prevalence of alcohol-tobacco comorbidity is greatest in young adults (Falk et al, 2006), these findings are particularly important from a prevention perspective and suggest that statewide smoking bans may offer a broad approach to prevent AUD onset among individuals in the highest risk age group.
