Substitution of flavored cigarillos with menthol cigarettes among young adults in the U.S. (1st October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abeyesundere, Nichele; Osborn, Catherine C.; Pike Moore, Stephanie; Suratkal, Jessica P.; Kaur, Manpreet; Otieno, Christopher; Quisenberry, Amanda J.; Klein, Elizabeth G.; Trapl, Erika S.
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 239(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10-01
• Subjects: Menthol cigarettes -- Cigarillos -- Young adults -- Health policy -- Multiple tobacco product use; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109603
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Young adult cigarillo users often cite flavor as a primary reason for initiating and sustaining product use and are more likely to concurrently use other tobacco products such as menthol cigarettes. This study examines substitution with menthol cigarettes among cigarillo users facing a hypothetical ban on flavored cigarillos. Methods: Current young adult (21–28 years) cigarillo users were recruited from October 2020 to April 2021 for an online survey about cigarillo and other tobacco use behaviors. Participants (n = 500) self-reported past or current menthol cigarette experience, and if they would switch to menthol cigarettes if they could not get flavored cigarillos. Logistic regression was used to test differences in switching behaviors by level of experience with menthol cigarettes. Results: Most young adult cigarillo users (76.8 %) had ever used a menthol cigarette and 46.6 % reported current use of menthol cigarettes. No participant who had never used menthol cigarettes reported they would switch to menthol cigarettes. Current users were 4.2 times as likely to say they would switch after controlling for demographic characteristics and nicotine dependence. Conclusion: Most young adult cigarillo users reported they would not switch to menthol cigarettes if flavored cigarillos became unavailable. However, participants who currently use or have used menthol cigarettes were more likely to report their intention to switch products than those who had never used menthol cigarettes. There may be a subsequent increase in menthol cigarette use among past menthol cigarette users if policies restricting flavored tobacco products exclude menthol cigarettes, diluting these policies' intended population health impact. Highlights: Young adult cigarillo users report high rates of menthol cigarette use. Prior menthol cigarette experience drives substitution among cigarillo users. Continued availability of menthol cigarettes may dilute impact of flavor policies.