Examining Demand and Substitutability of Usual Brand Little Cigars/Cigarillos and Cigarettes in Young Adults Who Dual Use.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette and little cigar/cigarillo (LCC) dual use is popular among young people and poses a substantial health risk. What remains unclear is the abuse liability of LCCs vs. cigarettes, LCCs' substitutability for cigarettes, and the influence of flavors on the abuse liability and substitutability of LCCs. METHODS: Sixty-five young adults (18-34 years) who dual use completed hypothetical purchase tasks to measure consumption of usual brand cigarettes and LCCs in 24h at increasing prices (demand), and LCC consumption at increasing cigarette prices (substitution). Three demand indices were calculated from raw data: breakpoint (price after which consumption reaches 0), Omax (maximum daily expenditure), and Pmax (price at maximum expenditure). Two indices were estimated using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling: intensity (consumption when free), and price-sensitivity (rate of decline in consumption as price increases). Substitution, and associations of flavored use with demand and substitution, were estimated using linear mixed models. RESULTS: Results indicated similar abuse liability for LCCs and cigarettes. Intensity was greater for cigarettes, but price-sensitivity was similar. Flavored LCC use was associated with lower price-sensitivity and greater intensity than unflavored. LCCs were significant substitutes for cigarettes, but the effect was small. Flavored use was not associated with substitution. CONCLUSIONS: Among young adults who dual use, LCCs and cigarettes had similar abuse liability, and those who used flavored had higher demand for their LCCs. A flavored cigar ban, as well as targeted prevention and cessation services for those who smoke flavored LCCs, may be important for reducing dual use in young adults. IMPLICATIONS: Cigarette and little cigar/cigarillo (LCC) dual use remains high among young adults. Using hypothetical purchase tasks with young adults who dual use, LCCs had abuse liability similar to cigarettes, but were only modest substitutes for cigarettes. Participants who used flavored LCCs reported greater abuse liability than those who used unflavored, but not greater substitution for cigarettes. Prevention and cessation services are needed to target LCCs in young people, particularly those smoking flavored products. A flavored cigar ban may help to reduce their demand.

Daily Stress, Drinking Motives and Alcohol Co-Use with Other Drugs.

Background: Recent evidence indicates that alcohol and other substance co-use, compared to alcohol-only use, might be more closely associated with negative reinforcement processes, and thus more likely during periods of increased stress. The present study examined this possibility by using data from an intensive longitudinal (daily) study of college student drinkers (N = 1461, 54% women). We also examined individual differences in coping and enhancement drinking motives as predictors of alcohol and other substance co-use. Results: We used multilevel multinomial logistic regression to predict, relative to alcohol-only days, the likelihood of alcohol co-use with either cigarettes or marijuana, along with alcohol use with multiple substances and other substance-only use from daily interpersonal and academic stress, day-of-the-week, sex, and individual differences in coping and enhancement drinking motives. We found that, relative to alcohol-only, alcohol and marijuana co-use was more likely, and non-alcohol related substance use was less likely, on weekends. Alcohol and marijuana co-use was less likely, and other substance-only use was more likely, on days characterized by greater academic stress, whereas alcohol and cigarette co-use was more likely on days characterized by greater interpersonal stress. Individuals with higher levels of drinking to cope motivation were more likely to engage in alcohol and cigarette co-use, other substance-only use, and alcohol plus multiple substances, relative to alcohol-only. Individuals with higher levels of enhancement motives were more likely to engage in all types of alcohol and other substance co-use and other substance-only use relative to alcohol-only. Conclusions: Findings are discussed in terms of the complex nature of different patterns of co-use patterns when evaluating indicators of positive- and negative-reinforcement processes.

Visualizing the Influence of Social Networks on Recovery: A Mixed-Methods Social Identity Mapping Study with Recovering Adolescents.

Background: Social recovery capital (SRC) refers to resources and supports gained through relationships and is vital to adolescent addiction recovery. Much is known about how substance use relates to social networks, but little is known about how other dimensions of social networks influence recovery (e.g., network size/exposure, degree of conflict). Methods: This mixed-methods study sampled 28 adolescents who received treatment for alcohol and other drug (AOD) use disorder (14-19 yrs.: 71% male; M = 17.32 yrs., SD = 1.33; White 82%): 20 were recovery high school (RHS) students. Adolescents completed a social identity map for addiction recovery (SIM-AR), survey, and interview. Qualitative data were content analyzed and the data from the SIM-AR were quantified. Results: On average, participants reported belonging to five distinct groups within their network (Range, 2-9; SD = 1.63; M = 27.89 people, SD = 20.09). Of their social network connections, 51% drank alcohol and 46% used other substances, on average. Larger networks involved more conflict (r = 0.57). Participants were more likely to spend more time with groups that had greater proportions of non-substance-using members. These linkages were stronger for RHS than for non-RHS students. Qualitative analyses revealed that youth reported their recovery-oriented groups as supportive, but some reported that their substance-using friends also supported their recovery. Discussion: SIM-AR was a useful measurement tool, and, through qualitative interviews, we identified unique aspects of youths' social networks important for further examination. Research with recovering youth should examine SRC-related elements within their networks including relationship quality, belonging, and conflict, alongside the substance use behaviors of network members.

Manipulation of Menthol and Nicotine Content in Cigarettes: Effects on Smoking Behavior and Toxicant Exposure in Women Menthol Smokers.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of smoking and other outcomes of assigning cigarettes with reduced nicotine and/or no menthol to female menthol smokers. AIMS AND METHODS: Nontreatment-seeking female menthol smokers (N = 263) participated in a randomized controlled trial in which levels of menthol and nicotine in cigarettes were manipulated using experimental cigarettes. After a baseline period, participants were assigned to the following conditions for 6 weeks: (1) their own brand of cigarette (conventional nicotine with menthol), (2) a conventional nicotine cigarette with no menthol, (3) a cigarette with reduced nicotine (RNC) with menthol, or (4) a RNC cigarette and no menthol. Participants then returned to using their own brand and were followed for another 6 weeks. Outcomes included cigarettes smoked, biomarkers of exposure, and dependence measures. RESULTS: Results indicated that, after an initial increase, rates of smoking of all three experimental cigarettes were at or below baseline rates of smoking of one's own brand. Levels of biomarkers also decreased during the experimental phase but rebounded somewhat after participants resumed smoking their own brand. There was evidence that the overall amount of smoking decreased similarly among women who switched to non-menthol and/or RNC cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that no detrimental effect will occur in nicotine or toxicant exposure levels with a ban on characterizing menthol and/or a product standard on nicotine content in cigarettes. IMPLICATIONS: The implication of this work is that there would be no risk to women menthol smokers associated with regulations restricting nicotine and eliminating menthol in cigarettes.

Does Diagnostic Certainty Matter?: Pain-Related Stigma in Adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Childhood chronic pain conditions are common and vulnerable to stigma. Adolescents with chronic primary pain experience diagnostic uncertainty and describe pain-related stigma experiences across multiple social contexts. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a childhood autoimmune, inflammatory condition with associated chronic pain, but with well-defined diagnostic criteria. The current study examined pain-related stigma experiences in adolescents with JIA. METHODS: Four focus groups of 3-7 adolescents with JIA (N = 16), ages 12-17 (Mage = 15.42, SD = 1.82), and parents (N = 13) were conducted to examine experiences of, and reaction to, pain-related stigma. Patients were recruited from an outpatient pediatric rheumatology clinic. Focus group length ranged from 28 to 99 minutes long. Two coders used directed content analysis resulting in 82.17% inter-rater level of agreement. RESULTS: Adolescents with JIA described pain-related stigma experiences predominantly from school teachers and peers, and less from medical providers (e.g., school nurses), and family members after a diagnosis. The primary categories that emerged were (1) Felt Stigma, (2) Internalized Stigma, (3) Anticipatory Stigma/Concealment, and (4) Contributions to Pain-Related Stigma. A common experience of pain-related stigma was the perception by others that the adolescent was too young to have arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: In common with adolescents with unexplained chronic pain, our findings indicate that adolescents with JIA experience pain-related stigma in certain social contexts. Diagnostic certainty may contribute to greater support among medical providers and within families. Future research should investigate the impact of pain-related stigma across childhood pain conditions.

"There's Nothing Wrong With You": Pain-Related Stigma in Adolescents With Chronic Pain.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescents with chronic pain often experience symptom disbelief and social rejection by others secondary to "medically unexplained" symptoms. Although chronic pain is common in adolescents, limited research has conceptualized these social experiences as pain-related stigma in this population. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe pain-related stigma among adolescents with chronic pain and their parents using focus group methodology. METHODS: Five adolescent focus groups (N = 18; Age M = 15.33 years, SD = 1.28) and three parent focus groups (N = 9) were conducted. Directed content analysis was used to analyze focus group transcripts. Stigma categories were developed a priori (Felt Stigma, Anticipated Stigma, Internalized Stigma, Concealment, and Controllability) and new categories emerged during analysis. Two coders reached 87.16% agreement for all groups (adolescent group: 90.34%; Parent group: 79.55%) and consensus was achieved for discordant codes. RESULTS: Adolescents and their parents endorsed pain-related stigma across all social domains. Analyses revealed four main categories for both groups (a) Felt Stigma (subcategories: pain dismissal, faking or exaggerating, and mental health stigma), (b) Anticipated Stigma and Concealment, (c) Internalized Stigma, and (d) Sources of Pain-Related Stigma (subcategories: pain invisibility, lack of chronic pain knowledge, lack of understanding, and controllability). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with chronic pain experience pain-related stigma from medical providers, school personnel, family members, and peers, which may have negative social and health implications. More research is needed to evaluate the link between pain-related stigma and health outcomes for adolescents with chronic pain. Clinical approaches targeting pain-related stigma are discussed.

Relation of social network support to child health behaviors among children in treatment for overweight/obesity.

PURPOSE: Little is known about the influence of social network support on child health behaviors in the context of weight-loss interventions. This study examined the associations between a child's co-participation (i.e., network support) in weight-related health behaviors (i.e., physical and sedentary activity, eating behavior) and the child's own health behaviors during family-based behavioral treatment (FBT). METHODS: Children (n = 241) with overweight/obesity (mean age = 9.4 ± 1.3y; 63% female) completed semi-structured interviews assessing network support for healthy/unhealthy eating and physical/sedentary activity, and a 3-day dietary recall. Physical activity was assessed with accelerometry, and sedentary activity was measured via parent-reported child screen time use. All assessments were taken at baseline and after 4 months of FBT. Hierarchical linear regressions examined changes in network support as they related to changes in health behaviors from baseline to the end of FBT. RESULTS: Changes in network support for healthy eating were related to changes in vegetable, but not fruit, intake across FBT, while changes in network support for unhealthy eating were negatively related to changes in diet quality. Changes in network support for sedentary activity were negatively related to changes in minutes of physical activity and positively related to changes in screen time. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that a child's network support for health behaviors may relate to behavior change among children during FBT and provide opportunities for targeted intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III. cohort study.

Exercise for Smoking Cessation in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal smokers have difficulty quitting smoking and experience considerable weight gain with smoking cessation. We examined whether adjunctive smoking treatment with exercise, compared to a relaxation control condition, could improve cigarette abstinence, decrease cigarettes smoked per day (CPD), and ameliorate changes in body mass index (BMI) in postmenopausal smokers. METHODS: Women (N = 301) signed informed consent and were randomized to treatment at two sites (Universities of Connecticut and Minnesota). We randomized groups of participants to a comprehensive group treatment program that included 12 weeks of varenicline and either a moderate exercise or relaxation component for 6 months. Participants were followed for a year after medication treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 17.3% of patients reported carbon monoxide-verified continuous abstinence for the 9- to 12-week period, and 11.6% reported prolonged abstinence at 1 year, with no significant differences between treatment conditions. CPD reported at study visits showed significant main effects for time in weeks, for site, and for treatment. The Exercise condition reported smoking fewer CPD over time, and that advantage widened over time. In terms of BMI, significant effects for time in weeks, and for the interaction of Week × Treatment condition, reflected gradually increasing BMI in these women over time, but with the increase in BMI slower in the Exercise condition. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise, compared to relaxation, was associated with a reduced BMI and CPD in postmenopausal women, but did not increase end of treatment or prolonged abstinence. Further research is needed to devise exercise programs that increase smoking cessation rates in postmenopausal women. IMPLICATIONS: This study adds to the literature on the effectiveness of a moderate exercise intervention compared to a relaxation control condition as an adjunctive treatment for smoking cessation in postmenopausal women. Our exercise program did not increase end of treatment or prolonged abstinence rates in postmenopausal women; however, there was a beneficial effect on smoking reduction and reduced body mass index. Additional research is needed to devise exercise programs that increase smoking cessation rates in postmenopausal women.

Chronic Cigarette Smoking Associates Directly and Indirectly with Self-Reported Olfactory Alterations: Analysis of the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Population-based studies show inconsistent effects of cigarette smoking on olfactory function. We aimed to identify direct and indirect associations between measures of smoking exposure/nicotine dependence and altered olfaction in a nationally representative sample of adults. METHODS: NHANES 2011-2014 (n = 7418) participants (mean age = 57.8 ± 12.2 years) self-reported olfaction and related health and demographic risks. Affirmative answers to three questions defined altered olfaction (olfactory problems in the past years; worse ability since age 25; phantom smells). Smoking (never, former, current) was self-reported by chronicity (pack years, PY) and dependency (time to first cigarette upon waking) and verified by serum cotinine. Associations were tested with logistic regression, reporting odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and mediation models. RESULTS: Estimated prevalence of altered olfaction was 22.3%, with age-related increases. Nearly half of the sample were former/current smokers (47.4%). Controlling for olfactory-related risks, ≥10 PY smokers had significantly greater odds of altered olfaction versus never smokers (OR 1.36, CI: 1.06-1.74). The odds of altered olfaction were heightened among current smokers (≥10 PY) who also had high nicotine dependence (smoked ≤30 min of waking) (OR 1.41, CI: 1.01-1.99). Light smokers (≤10 PY smokers) did not show increased odds versus never smokers. Current smokers who also were heavy drinkers (≥4 drinks/day) had the highest odds for altered olfaction (OR 1.96, CI: 1.20-3.19). Olfactory-related pathologies (sinonasal problems, serious head injury, tonsillectomy, xerostomia) partially mediated the association between smoking and altered olfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic cigarette smoking was associated with increased odds of self-reported olfactory alterations, directly and indirectly via olfactory-related pathologies. IMPLICATIONS: Analysis of the US nationally representative data revealed significant positive associations between chronic smoking and alterations in the sense of smell. Rates of smell alteration (self-reported problems in the past year, losses with aging, and phantom smells) increased from 23% among adults to 33% for chronic smokers and 38% for chronic smokers who also reported heavy drinking. Chronic smoking showed associations with smell alteration that were direct and indirect through exposure to olfactory-related pathologies (naso-sinus problems, dry mouth, head/facial injury). Smell alteration can impact smokers' quality of life by challenging the ability to sense warning odors, food flavor, and olfactory-stimulated emotions and memories.

Describing Perceived Racial Bias Among Youth With Sickle Cell Disease.

Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) predominately affects Black Americans. This is the first study of its kind to describe the racial bias experiences of youth with SCD and their reactions to these experiences. Methods: Participants were 20 youth with SCD (ages 13-21 years) who were asked to describe any racial bias events they experienced, as recorded on the Perception of Racism in Children and Youth measure (PRaCY). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by two independent raters using a conventional content analysis approach. Results: All participants reported at least one incident of racial bias. Content analysis of racial bias events (n = 104) yielded 4 categories and 12 subcategories as follows: Perpetrator (Peers, Authority Figures, and General Public), Type of Racial Bias (Explicit, Implicit), Behavioral Reaction (Approach, Avoidant), and Emotional Response (Dysphoria, Anger, Unconcerned, Inferior, Anxious). Discussion: This study provides a description of racial bias experiences within community and medical settings and highlights the need for further evaluation of the impact of racial bias among youth with SCD.

Cigarette smoking and electronic cigarette vaping patterns as a function of e-cigarette flavourings.

INTRODUCTION: The present study examined the influence of flavouring on the smoking and vaping behaviour of cigarette smokers asked to adopt e-cigarettes for a period of 6 weeks. METHODS: Participants were 88 current male and female smokers with no intention to stop smoking, but who agreed to substitute e-cigarettes for their current cigarettes. On intake, participants were administered tests of taste and smell for e-cigarettes flavoured with tobacco, menthol, cherry and chocolate, and were given a refillable e-cigarette of their preferred flavour or a control flavour. Participants completed daily logs of cigarette and e-cigarette use and were followed each week. RESULTS: Analyses over days indicated that, during the 6-week e-cigarette period, cigarette smoking rates dropped from an average of about 16 to about 7 cigarettes/day. e-Cigarette flavour had a significant effect such that the largest drop in cigarette smoking occurred among those assigned menthol e-cigarettes, and the smallest drop in smoking occurred among those assigned chocolate and cherry flavours. e-Cigarette vaping rates also differed significantly by flavour assigned, with the highest vaping rates for tobacco- and cherry-flavoured e-cigarettes, and the lowest rates for those assigned to chocolate. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that adoption of e-cigarettes in smokers may influence smoking rates and that e-cigarette flavourings can moderate this effect. e-Cigarette vaping rates are also influenced by flavourings. These findings may have implications for the utility of e-cigarettes as a nicotine replacement device and for the regulation of flavourings in e-cigarettes for harm reduction.

Nicotine concentrations with electronic cigarette use: effects of sex and flavor.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined overall changes in nicotine concentrations when using a popular e-cigarette and 18 mg/mL nicotine e-Juice, and it further explored effects of sex and flavorings on these concentrations. METHODS: We recruited nontreatment-seeking smokers who were willing to try e-cigarettes for 2 weeks and abstain from cigarette smoking. Subjects were randomized to either menthol tobacco or non-menthol tobacco-flavored e-cigarette use for 7-10 days, and the next week they were crossed over to the other condition. On the last day of e-cigarette use of each flavor, subjects completed a laboratory session in which they used the e-cigarette for 5 min ad libitum. Nicotine concentrations were obtained 5 min before and 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 min after the onset of e-cigarette use. RESULTS: Twenty subjects completed at least 1 monitoring session. Nicotine concentrations significantly increased from baseline to 5 min by 4 ng/mL at the first laboratory session (p < .01) and by 5.1 ng/mL at the second laboratory session (p < .01). Combining sessions, there were no main effects of sex or preferred flavor (based on smoking history) on changes in nicotine concentrations. After adding preferred flavor, sex, and visit order to the model, there was a significant preferred flavor by sex interaction (p < .01), such that women who received nonpreferred flavors had lower nicotine concentrations and rated their e-cigarette as less likeable (p < .01). CONCLUSION: We found nicotine concentrations significantly increase after e-cigarette use for 5 min, and flavor may impact nicotine concentrations with e-cigarette use in women.

Topiramate for smoking cessation: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Topiramate (TOP) blocks glutamate receptors and facilitates GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmission, effects that may facilitate smoking cessation. We compared the effects of behavioral counseling combined with (a) TOP, (b) TOP/nicotine patch (TOP/NIC), or (c) placebo (PLC) for smoking cessation. METHODS: We conducted a 10-week randomized trial in which subjects and research personnel were blinded to TOP versus PLC but not to the TOP/NIC patch condition. In groups receiving TOP, the medication dosage was titrated gradually up to 200 mg/day. The smoking quit date (QD) was scheduled after 2 weeks of medication treatment. NIC (21 mg) was started on the QD in subjects randomized to the TOP/NIC condition. The main outcome measure was the end-of-treatment, 4-week continuous abstinence rate (CAR; biochemically confirmed). RESULTS: Fifty-seven subjects were randomized to treatment. The 4-week CAR was 1 of 19 (5%) in the PLC group, 5 of 19 (26%) in the TOP group, and 7 of 19 (37%) in the TOP/NIC group (p = .056). Pairwise comparisons showed a difference between TOP/NIC and PLC (p = .042) and a nonsignificant difference between TOP and PLC (p = .18). The PLC group gained 0.37 lb/week, the TOP group lost 0.41 lb/week, and the TOP/NIC group lost 0.07 lb/week (p = .004). Pairwise comparisons showed a difference between TOP and PLC (p < .001) and between TOP/NIC and PLC groups (p = .035). Paresthesia was more frequent in subjects on TOP than PLC (p = .011). CONCLUSIONS: TOP, alone or in combination with the NIC, resulted in a numerically higher quit rate than PLC and decreased weight. A larger, PLC-controlled trial is needed to confirm these findings.

Effects of varenicline, nicotine or placebo on depressive symptoms in postmenopausal smokers.

BACKGROUND: Varenicline carries a black box warning for neuropsychiatric adverse events. OBJECTIVE: We examined varenicline use and past history of major depressive disorder (MDD) on depressive symptoms during smoking cessation. METHOD: This is a secondary analysis of two smoking cessation studies in 152 postmenopausal women who received placebo or nicotine patch, or 78 women who received varenicline with relaxation. Lifetime history of MDD (LH-MDD) was assessed at baseline and women with current MDD were excluded. Center for Epidemiologic Study Depression scale (CESD) measured depressive symptoms at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Baseline CESD scores were 5.3 + 4.4. Those with a LH-MDD reported higher CESD scores (p > .001). Those taking varenicline reported lower scores over all time periods compared to nicotine or placebo (p < .01). The differences between varenicline and the other treatments remained when controlling for LH-MDD, indicating an independent effect. CESD scores were associated with concurrent smoking status (p < .001), and with withdrawal symptoms (p < .001). CONCLUSION: CESD score were lower in those receiving varenicline, whether this is due to an anti-depressant effect, subject selection, use of relaxation or another cause is unknown. Varenicline does not increase depressive symptoms during smoking cessation in postmenopausal women without current MDD. Subjects with a LH-MDD are susceptible to developing depressive symptoms during smoking cessation, regardless of pharmacologic aid. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Pharmacologic aids did not increase depression symptoms in this select population of postmenopausal women without current depression. Smoking cessation does increase depressive symptoms in those with LH-MDD, though the degree of increase was not clinically meaningful.

The efficacy of contingency management for adolescent cannabis use disorder: a controlled study.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to investigate the efficacy of a voucher-based reinforcement therapy (VBRT) rewarding drug-free urine for adolescents with cannabis use disorder. METHODS: A controlled 10-week study where 59 adolescents aged 14-18 years were assigned by cohorts into groups of either an integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and VBRT or CBT with attendance-based reward program. Substance use was monitored by twice-weekly urinalysis. Other measures were collected at pre- and posttreatment and at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the linear change between conditions for cannabis use either from Sessions 1 to 10 or between end-of-treatment to 3-month follow-up. Also, self-efficacy and coping response did not show improvement during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the addition of contingency management (CM) to CBT in youth was not found to be more efficacious than similar compensation rewarding attendance only. Continued examination of the efficacy of CM and its interaction with the associated mechanisms of behavior change of CBT in youth is necessary. Examination of the effect of the magnitude of the reward as well as considering the emotional and cognitive developmental differences from adults is warranted.

Daily drinking and social network interactions in network support treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Social networks can be powerful determinants of drinking. Network Support (NS) treatment was designed to help persons with alcohol use disorder alter their social network to be more supportive of abstinence and less supportive of drinking. The present study was intended to determine how NS treatment altered behavior on a daily basis. It was expected that, relative to those treated in a packaged cognitive-behavioral treatment (PCBT), NS patients would report fewer daily contacts with drinking persons and increased contacts with nondrinking persons. METHOD: Patients (N = 193) treated in our second NS trial provided daily recordings of drinks consumed, urge to drink, and self-efficacy for not drinking, as well as reports of associations with drinking and nondrinking friends, via an interactive voice response system. Daily recordings (N = 146) were collected during the first 6 months of the 27-month study. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze daily network variables over time by treatment. Time-varying effect model (TVEM) analyses were also conducted to assess the influence of daily-varying social contacts on daily drinking, drinking urges, and self-efficacy. RESULTS: Consistent with hypotheses, NS patients reported significantly less daily drinking associated with contacts with drinkers than did PCBT patients. Patients in both treatments reported increases in self-efficacy and decreases in urges to drink over days as a function of contact with nondrinkers. CONCLUSIONS: NS treatment was successful in helping patients change their social networks, as well as their responses to social influences, and those changes had effects on day-to-day drinking levels. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Prospective predictors of electronic nicotine delivery system initiation in tobacco naive young adults: A machine learning approach.

The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is increasing among young adults. However, there are few studies regarding predictors of ENDS initiation in tobacco-naive young adults. Identifying the risk and protective factors of ENDS initiation that are specific to tobacco-naive young adults will enable the creation of targeted policies and prevention programs. This study used machine learning (ML) to create predictive models, identify risk and protective factors for ENDS initiation for tobacco-naive young adults, and the relationship between these predictors and the prediction of ENDS initiation. We used nationally representative data of tobacco-naive young adults in the U.S drawn from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) longitudinal cohort survey. Respondents were young adults (18-24 years) who had never used any tobacco products in Wave 4 and who completed Waves 4 and 5 interviews. ML techniques were used to create models and determine predictors at 1-year follow-up from Wave 4 data. Among the 2,746 tobacco-naive young adults at baseline, 309 initiated ENDS use at 1-year follow-up. The top five prospective predictors of ENDS initiation were susceptibility to ENDS, increased days of physical exercise specifically designed to strengthen muscles, frequency of social media use, marijuana use and susceptibility to cigarettes. This study identified previously unreported and emerging predictors of ENDS initiation that warrant further investigation and provided comprehensive information on the predictors of ENDS initiation. Furthermore, this study showed that ML is a promising technique that can aid ENDS monitoring and prevention programs.

Validity of a little cigars/cigarillos purchase task in dual users of cigars and cigarettes.

INTRODUCTION: Hypothetical purchase tasks have been widely used to assess the reinforcing value of tobacco products. However, a task has not yet been validated for little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs), a popular tobacco product class among vulnerable populations. This study sought to validate the LCC Purchase Task (LCCPT) in a sample of experienced LCC smokers. METHODS: Data were collected from 65 young adult (18-34 years) LCC and cigarette dual users (78.5% male) in Connecticut (2018-2020). Participants completed the usual-brand LCCPT for consumption in 24 h at increasing prices. We calculated four observed demand indices: intensity (consumption at $0), breakpoint (price after which consumption reaches 0), Omax (maximum daily expenditure), and Pmax (price at which daily expenditure was maximized). Two indices were estimated from demand curves: Q0 (predicted consumption as price approaches $0) and price-sensitivity (sensitivity to price increases). Spearman correlations and multivariable regressions examined the associations between demand indices, self-reported cigar use, and dependence. RESULTS: Correlations were in expected directions. All indices except breakpoint and Pmax were positively correlated with use, and all indices were correlated with multiple measures of dependence. Overall, greater demand and expenditure for LCCs and lower sensitivity to price changes were correlated with greater use and dependence. In regression analyses intensity and price-sensitivity showed the strongest relationships with use and dependence. CONCLUSIONS: The validity of the LCCPT was supported in a sample of experienced LCC smokers. This instrument can be incorporated into other protocols to assess the abuse liability of LCCs.

A daily level analysis of drinking to cope motivation and interpersonal stress.

Interpersonal stress is a commonly reported drinking-related problem and evidence indicates that it is associated with drinking to cope (DTC) motivation. The preponderance of evidence for DTC motivation as a risk factor for increased interpersonal stress, however, comes mainly from studies examining between-person associations. Findings suggest that individuals who commonly report drinking to cope with stress show higher average levels of drinking-related interpersonal problems. To better understand the dynamic processes linking DTC motivation with interpersonal stress, we used a micro-longitudinal design to examine whether nighttime drinking-episode specific levels of three subtypes of DTC motivation (DTC related to anxiety, depressive affect and anger) were associated with concurrent and next-day levels of interpersonal stress, controlling for drinking levels. Participants (N = 939) reported their drinking motives, drinking level, and drinking-related problems daily for 30 days during college and again approximately five years later (post-college). Results indicated that, controlling for drinking levels, DTC motivation associated with depressive affect and anger, but not anxiety, were positively associated with concurrent nighttime interpersonal stress. Only DTC related to anger was associated with higher levels of next-day interpersonal stress, controlling for previous night's stress. The only other motive to predict next-day interpersonal stress was conformity motivation. None of the effects of motives varied across study wave. Findings are discussed in terms of how DTC anger might exacerbate interpersonal problems via processes associated with alcohol myopia.