Divergence in Cigarette Discontinuation Rates by Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Longitudinal Findings From the United States PATH Study Waves 1-6.

INTRODUCTION: We compare real-world trends in population-level cigarette discontinuation rates among adults (ages ≥21) who smoked cigarettes, by electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use. AIMS AND METHODS: U.S nationally representative data from adults in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study (2013/14-2021, Waves 1-6) who smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days (P30D) were analyzed (n = 13 640). The exposure was P30D ENDS use. The outcome was P30D cigarette discontinuation at biennial follow-up. Weighted trend analyses were conducted to test for differences in cigarette discontinuation trends by ENDS use. RESULTS: Between 2013/14 and 2015/16, cigarette discontinuation rates were both 16% for those who used ENDS and for those who did not; between 2018/19 and 2021, rates were ~30% for those who used ENDS and ~20% for those who did not; the time by ENDS use interaction was significant. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between adults' ENDS use and cigarette discontinuation in the context of an expanded ENDS marketplace, new tobacco regulatory actions, and COVID-19 differs from the relationship in earlier years. IMPLICATIONS: It is important for public health decisions to be informed by research based on the contemporary ENDS marketplace and circumstances.

Cigar Cessation Prevalence and Trends by Demographic Characteristics Among US Adults, TUS-CPS, 2010-2019.

INTRODUCTION: Disproportionate rates of cigar smoking across demographic groups can contribute to tobacco-related health disparities in the United States. We assessed overall and demographic-specific cigar cessation rates from 2010 to 2019. AIMS AND METHODS: To characterize cessation prevalence among selected demographic groups over time, we analyzed data from the 2010-2011, 2014-2015, and 2018-2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS). Individuals who reported either (1) current cigar smoking for at least 2 years or (2) quitting cigar smoking within the past 12 months were included in the study (n = 5262 in 2010-2011; n = 4741 in 2014-2015; n = 3741 in 2018-2019). Among this group, individuals who reported not smoking a cigar within the past 6 months were considered cigar quitters. Chi-square tests were used to test differences in cessation prevalence between the two survey waves within demographic groups as well as between different groups within survey waves. RESULTS: The prevalence of cigar cessation decreased from 2010-2011 to 2018-2019 for non-Hispanic (NH) White individuals, Hispanic individuals, and both males and females. (p < .05 for all groups). NH White individuals had significantly higher cessation prevalence than individuals who identified as NH Black (33.8% vs. 25.0%, respectively, in 2010-2011; 33.4% vs. 20.4% in 2014-2015; 31.1% vs. 22.3% in 2018-2019; p < .05 for all differences). CONCLUSIONS: Overall cigar cessation prevalence significantly decreased from 2010-2011 to 2018-2019. Findings from the study could provide an opportunity to implement strategies that promote cessation strategies targeting certain subpopulations. IMPLICATIONS: Cigar cessation patterns are starkly different across different demographic groups, which leads to a disproportionate burden of health-related effects of continued use of these products. These results can inform policy actions around cigar cessation efforts. Future research to close this disparity should be focused on populations that have lower cessation prevalence.

Use patterns of flavored non-cigarette tobacco products among US adults, 2010-2019.

OBJECTIVE: Flavored non-cigarette tobacco product (NCTP) use is common among US adult tobacco users. To update the estimates of use patterns of flavored NCTPs, this study assessed current NCTP use among adults by flavor use and flavor categories from 2010 to 2019. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2010-2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey to estimate the weighted proportion of adult NCTP users by flavor use across survey waves. Flavor use was defined as past 30-day use of any menthol/mint or fruit/other flavors. We used the 2018-2019 data to examine the differences in demographic characteristics and tobacco use patterns among users of menthol/mint or fruit/other flavors compared to exclusive users of tobacco flavor, by product type. RESULTS: Compared to 2014-2015, electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) users were more likely (79.0% vs. 66.6%, p < 0.001) to report flavor use in 2018-2019, whereas cigar (26.9% vs. 31.2%, p = 0.030) and pipe (56.3% vs. 65.5%, p = 0.015) smokers were less likely to report flavor use in 2018-2019. In 2018-2019, the most prevalent flavor categories were exclusive use of tobacco flavor among cigar (73.1%) and smokeless tobacco (48.3%) users, and use of fruit/other flavors among ENDS (64.9%) and pipe (48.4%) users. Flavored users were more likely to be young adults aged 18-24 years (cigars, ENDS, smokeless tobacco) and Non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic persons (cigars, ENDS, pipes) compared to tobacco-flavored users. CONCLUSIONS: Flavored product use increased among adult ENDS users but decreased among cigar and pipe smokers. These findings could inform tobacco regulatory efforts concerning flavored NCTPs.

Smoking cessation prevalence by menthol cigarette use and select demographics among adults in the United States, TUS-CPS, 2003-2019.

People who smoke menthol cigarettes, particularly those who are non-Hispanic Black/African American, are less likely to achieve successful smoking cessation compared with people who smoke non-menthol cigarettes. This study examined the 2003-2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS) harmonized data to estimate cross-sectional trends in cigarette smoking cessation among U.S. adults, stratified by menthol cigarette use, race/ethnicity, sex, and age. The analytic sample included respondents who smoked for ≥ 2 years (current users and former users who reported quitting during the past year). We tested cessation trends using orthogonal polynomial contrasts for overall, menthol, and non-menthol smoking cessation prevalence and stratified by race/ethnicity, sex, and age in logistic regression models. We also analyzed the 2018-2019 non-harmonized TUS-CPS data among recent quitters to examine differences in characteristics (e.g., demographic characteristics, smoking frequency, use of smoking cessation aids, switching to other tobacco products) by menthol cigarette use. We observed significant linear changes in prevalence trends for overall cigarette smoking cessation, menthol smoking cessation, and non-menthol smoking cessation (p < 0.0001 for all linear trends), and changes in menthol cessation among non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Other race/ethnicity categories during 2003-2019. In the 2018-2019 wave, we observed differences in menthol status for sex, race/ethnicity, age, and educational attainment. We did not observe differences for other characteristics. We observed changes in overall cigarette smoking cessation, menthol, and non-menthol smoking cessation prevalence during the study period; however, gains in cigarette smoking cessation were not experienced among non-Hispanic Black/African American adults who smoke.

Characteristics and Patterns of Cigarette Smoking and Vaping By Past-Year Smokers Who Reported Using Electronic Nicotine Delivery System to Help Quit Smoking in the Past Year: Findings From the 2018-2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking has declined, while electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use has increased in the United States. Understanding the role of ENDS in adult smoking quit attempts and cessation is important for estimating their population health impact. AIMS AND METHODS: We used data from 2018 to 2019 tobacco use supplement to the current population survey to examine demographic characteristics and ENDS use patterns among adult ENDS users who reported quitting smoking in the past year by trying to switch to ENDS ("switchers") and smokers who did or did not make a quit attempt in the past year. χ2 tests of proportions and t-tests were used to compare characteristics between groups. RESULTS: In 2018-2019, about three-quarters of switchers reported daily use of ENDS compared to only one-third of dual users with a recent quit attempt by trying to switch to ENDS. Compared to dual users who made a quit attempt by trying to switch to ENDS, switchers were more likely to use menthol/mint-flavored ENDS exclusively (5.6% vs. 13.1%; p = .004) but less likely to use tobacco-flavored ENDS exclusively (21.2% vs. 13.7%; p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: ENDS users who quit smoking in the past year and reported trying to quit by switching to ENDS were more likely to use menthol/mint flavors exclusively and use ENDS daily compared to dual users who made a quit attempt by trying to switch to ENDS. Longer-term prospective data may better clarify the role of ENDS in smoking quit attempts and cessation. IMPLICATIONS: This study provides information on patterns of ENDS use in former smokers and current smokers who tried to quit smoking by switching to ENDS in a national sample of U.S. adults. These results can inform policy actions concerning ENDS products.

Menthol Cigarette Smoking Trends among United States Adults, 2003-2019.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is declining, except among current menthol cigarette smokers. This study examines menthol cigarette smoking in the United States. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 35,279 self-respondent current adult smokers who selected menthol cigarettes as their usual type, across the 2003, 2006-2007, 2010-2011, 2014-2015, and 2018-2019 waves of the nationally-representative Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, were analyzed in SAS/SUDAAN. Menthol cigarette smoking among current smokers was assessed by sex, age, race/ethnicity, employment, geography, and educational attainment. Linear contrasts were used to assess trends. RESULTS: Overall cigarette smoking (12.6% in 2018-2019 from 17.3% in 2003) and menthol cigarette smoking (4.0% in 2018-2019 from 4.7% in 2003) in the population decreased in 2018-2019 from 2003 (both P < 0.001). Using predicted marginals, adjusted by demographics, menthol smoking among current smokers increased to 33.8% in 2018-2019 from 27.9% in 2003 (P < 0.001). Among current smoking adults, increases in menthol smoking were observed among non-Hispanic Black persons (76.8% in 2018-2019 from 73.0% in 2003), young adults (37.7% in 2018-2019 from 31.7% in 2003), and women (39.6% in 2018-2019 from 32.1% in 2003). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and menthol smoking in the population has decreased, yet menthol smoking among current smokers increased from 2003 to 2018-2019. Young adult, female, and non-Hispanic Black current smokers were more likely to use menthol cigarettes than their counterparts; these differences have persisted. IMPACT: Increased menthol smoking among current smokers, notably young adults, women, and non-Hispanic Black individuals, highlights the need for targeted tobacco control interventions for these health disparity populations.

Smokeless Tobacco Use and Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease Among Males in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, Waves 1-4.

The purpose of this period prevalence study is to compare the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in current/former established smokeless tobacco (SLT) users (ever SLT users who have used the product fairly regularly) to those who were: 1) never established cigarette smokers and SLT users, and 2) current/former established exclusive cigarette smokers (have smoked at least a 100 or more cigarettes in lifetime) only, adjusting for known risk factors for CVD. Analyses included 4,703 men ≥ 40 years of age who participated in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, Waves: 1-4, conducted between 2013 and 2017. Current users were those using SLT products daily or on some days, whereas former users had not used SLT and/or cigarettes in the past 12 months. CVD prevalence was defined as a self-reported diagnosis of congestive heart failure, stroke, or myocardial infarction. Among current/former established SLT users, years of use defined exposure history, while pack-years defined exposure history for smokers. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported with trend tests to examine dose-response associations. Current/former established exclusive SLT users were not significantly more likely to have had any CVD compared to never established cigarette and SLT users (OR = 1.7 [0.8-3.7]), or current/former established exclusive cigarette smokers (OR = 0.9 [0.5-1.8]). Current/former established exclusive cigarette smokers were more likely to have had any CVD compared to those who were never established cigarette and SLT users (OR = 1.6 [1.1-2.3]).

Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress among Adult Former Smoker, Current E-Cigarette Users-Results from Wave 1 PATH Study.

BACKGROUND: Former smokers who currently use e-cigarettes have lower concentrations of biomarkers of tobacco toxicant exposure than current smokers. It is unclear whether tobacco toxicant exposure reductions may lead to health risk reductions. METHODS: We compared inflammatory biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL6, fibrinogen, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and an oxidative stress marker (F2-isoprostane) among 3,712 adult participants in Wave 1 (2013-2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study by tobacco user groups: dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes; former smokers who currently use e-cigarettes-only; current cigarette-only smokers; former smokers who do not currently use any tobacco; and never tobacco users. We calculated geometric means (GM) and estimated adjusted GM ratios (GMR). RESULTS: Dual users experienced greater concentration of F2-isoprostane than current cigarette-only smokers [GMR 1.09 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.03-1.15)]. Biomarkers were similar between former smokers who currently use e-cigarettes and both former smokers who do not use any tobacco and never tobacco users, but among these groups most biomarkers were lower than those of current cigarette-only smokers. The concentration of F2-isoprostane decreased by time since smoking cessation among both exclusive e-cigarette users (P trend = 0.03) and former smokers who do not currently use any tobacco (P trend = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Dual users have greater concentration of F2-isoprostane than smokers. Exclusive e-cigarette users have biomarker concentrations that are similar to those of former smokers who do not currently use tobacco, and lower than those of exclusive cigarette smokers. IMPACT: This study contributes to an understanding of the health effects of e-cigarettes.

Associations between Biomarkers of Exposure and Lung Cancer Risk among Exclusive Cigarette Smokers in the Golestan Cohort Study.

Biomarkers of tobacco exposure are known to be associated with disease risk but previous studies are limited in number and restricted to certain regions. We conducted a nested case-control study examining baseline levels and subsequent lung cancer incidence among current male exclusive cigarette smokers in the Golestan Cohort Study in Iran. We calculated geometric mean biomarker concentrations for 28 matched cases and 52 controls for the correlation of biomarker levels among controls and for adjusted odds' ratios (ORs) for lung cancer incidence by biomarker concentration, accounting for demographic characteristics, smoking quantity and duration, and opium use. Lung cancer cases had higher average levels of most biomarkers including total nicotine equivalents (TNE-2), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), and 3-hydroxyfluorene (3-FLU). Many biomarkers correlated highly with one another including TNE-2 with NNAL and N-Acetyl-S-(2-cyanoethyl)-L-cysteine (2CYEMA), and N-Acetyl-S-(4-hydroxy-2-buten-1-yl)-L-cysteine (t4HBEMA) with N-Acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl-1-methyl)-L-cysteine (3HMPMA) and N-Acetyl-S-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-L-cysteine (4HMBEMA). Lung cancer risk increased with concentration for several biomarkers, including TNE-2 (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.03, 4.78) and NNN (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.13, 5.27), and estimates were significant after further adjustment for demographic and smoking characteristics for 2CYEMA (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.03, 4.55), N-Acetyl-S-(2-carbamoylethyl)-L-cysteine (2CAEMA) (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.01, 4.55), and N-Acetyl-S-(2-hydroxypropyl)-L-cysteine (2HPMA) (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.04, 7.81). Estimates were not significant with adjustment for opium use. Concentrations of many biomarkers were higher at the baseline for participants who subsequently developed lung cancer than among the matched controls. Odds of lung cancer were higher for several biomarkers including with adjustment for smoking exposure for some but not with adjustment for opium use.

Biomarkers of Potential Harm among Adult Cigarette and Smokeless Tobacco Users in the PATH Study Wave 1 (2013-2014): A Cross-sectional Analysis.

BACKGROUND: While smokeless tobacco (ST) causes oral cancer and is associated with cardiovascular diseases, less is known about how its effects differ from other tobacco use. Biomarkers of potential harm (BOPH) can measure short-term health effects such as inflammation and oxidative stress. METHODS: We compared BOPH concentrations [IL6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and F2-isoprostane] across 3,460 adults in wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study (2013-2014) by tobacco use groups: primary ST users (current exclusive ST use among never smokers), secondary ST users (current exclusive ST use among former smokers), exclusive cigarette smokers, dual users of ST and cigarettes, former smokers, and never tobacco users. We estimated geometric mean ratios using never tobacco users, cigarette smokers, and former smokers as referents, adjusting for demographic and health conditions, creatinine (for F2-isoprostane), and pack-years in smoker referent models. RESULTS: BOPH levels among primary ST users were similar to both never tobacco users and former smokers. Most BOPH levels were lower among ST users compared with current smokers. Compared with never tobacco users, dual users had significantly higher sICAM-1, IL6, and F2-isoprostane. However, compared with smokers, dual users had similar biomarker levels. Former smokers and secondary ST users had similar levels of all five biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: ST users have lower levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers than smokers. IMPACT: ST use alone and in combination with smoking may result in different levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress levels.

Prediction of COPD risk accounting for time-varying smoking exposures.

RATIONALE: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Studies have primarily assessed the relationship between smoking on COPD risk focusing on summary measures, like smoking status. OBJECTIVE: Develop a COPD risk prediction model incorporating individual time-varying smoking exposures. METHODS: The Nurses' Health Study (N = 86,711) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (N = 39,817) data was used to develop a COPD risk prediction model. Data was randomly split in 50-50 samples for model building and validation. Cox regression with time-varying covariates was used to assess the association between smoking duration, intensity and year-since-quit and self-reported COPD diagnosis incidence. We evaluated the model calibration as well as discriminatory accuracy via the Area Under the receiver operating characteristic Curve (AUC). We computed 6-year risk of COPD incidence given various individual smoking scenarios. RESULTS: Smoking duration, year-since-quit (if former smokers), sex, and interaction of sex and smoking duration are significantly associated with the incidence of diagnosed COPD. The model that incorporated time-varying smoking variables yielded higher AUCs compared to models using only pack-years. The AUCs for the model were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.74-0.86) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.70-0.77) for males and females, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing detailed smoking pattern information, the model predicts COPD risk with better accuracy than models based on only smoking summary measures. It might serve as a tool for early detection programs by identifying individuals at high-risk for COPD.

Characterization of acrylonitrile exposure in the United States based on urinary n-acetyl-S-(2-cyanoethyl)-L-cysteine (2CYEMA): NHANES 2011-2016.

BACKGROUND: Acrylonitrile is a possible human carcinogen that is used in polymers and formed in tobacco smoke. We assessed acrylonitrile exposure in the US population by measuring its urinary metabolites N-acetyl-S-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-L-cysteine (2CYEMA) and N-acetyl-S-(1-cyano-2-hydroxyethyl)-L-cysteine (1CYHEMA) in participants from the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. OBJECTIVE: To assessed acrylonitrile exposure using population-based biomonitoring data of the US civilian, non-institutionalized population. METHODS: Laboratory data for 8057 participants were reported for 2CYEMA and 1CYHEMA using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Exclusive tobacco smokers were distinguished from non-users using a combination of self-reporting and serum cotinine data. We used multiple linear regression models to fit 2CYEMA concentrations with sex, age, race/Hispanic origin, and tobacco user group as predictor variables. RESULTS: The median 2CYEMA level was higher for exclusive cigarette smokers (145 µg/g creatinine) than for non-users (1.38 µg/g creatinine). Compared to unexposed individuals (serum cotinine ≤0.015 ng/ml) and controlling for confounders, presumptive second-hand tobacco smoke exposure (serum cotinine >0.015 to ≤10 ng/ml and 0 cigarettes per day, CPD) was significantly associated with 36% higher 2CYEMA levels (p < 0.0001). Smoking 1-10 CPD was significantly associated with 6720% higher 2CYEMA levels (p < 0.0001). SIGNIFICANCE: We show that tobacco smoke is an important source of acrylonitrile exposure in the US population and provide important biomonitoring data on acrylonitrile exposure.

Cigarette Smoking Reduction and Health Risks: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown the health benefits of cigarette smoking cessation. However, the literature remains unclear about the relationship between smoking reduction and health risks. This comprehensive review and meta-analysis updates previous reviews with the newest estimates. AIMS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the association between smoking reduction and some health risks in observational studies. We defined the following smoking categories: heavy smokers smoked ≥15-20 cigarettes per day (CPD), moderate smokers smoked 10-19 CPD, and light smokers smoked <10 CPD. The relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random-effect models. RESULTS: We identified 19 studies including four case-control and 15 cohort studies. Compared with continuing heavy smokers, we found decreased lung cancer risk for those who reduced CPD by more than 50% (RR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.91), from heavy to moderate (RR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.85), and from heavy to light (RR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.72). We also found lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) for those who reduced from heavy to light smoking (RR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.89) but not those who reduced by more than 50% and reduced smoking from heavy to moderate. We did not find any significant difference in all-cause mortality, all-cancer risks, and smoking-/tobacco-related cancer risk among those who reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial smoking reduction may decrease lung cancer risk but results on CVD (coronary heart disease and stroke combined) risk were mixed. The relationships between smoking reduction and other endpoints examined were not significant. IMPLICATIONS: This meta-analysis helps clarify our understanding of various smoking reduction levels on some health risks. While smoking reduction may decrease risks of lung cancer, the relationships between smoking reduction and other endpoints, including all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease, remain unclear. Although smoking reduction may decrease lung cancer risks, the magnitude of lung cancer risk remain high. Among smokers, complete cessation remains the most effective approach for cancer and CVD prevention.

National Estimates of ENDS Liquid Nicotine Exposures, U.S., 2013-2017.

INTRODUCTION: Increased use of ENDS in the U.S. is related to acute adverse events from liquid nicotine exposure. This paper provides national estimates of U.S. hospital emergency department visits for exposures from liquid nicotine exposure in individuals aged ≥5 years. METHODS: In 2018-2019, data from the 2013-2017 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program were used to identify cases of liquid nicotine-related exposures in individuals aged ≥5 years. National estimates of exposures related to liquid nicotine exposure in ENDS for those aged ≥5 years by demographic characteristics, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment dispositions were calculated. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2017, an estimated 2,718 cases related to liquid nicotine among those aged ≥5 years were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments. Most exposures occurred among those who were aged ≥25 years (51.7%), white (74.1%), and male (51.9%). Most case patients were treated and released from the hospitals, and 7.5% were admitted. Poisoning was the most common diagnosis of these exposures (82.7%). The most common symptoms were cardiovascular (29.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides national estimates of emergency department visits for injury and poisoning cases related to nicotine exposure from ENDS among individuals aged ≥5 years. Although long-term health outcome studies of liquid nicotine exposure are not available, these estimates provide some insight into the acute health effects. Findings from this study may inform education programs aimed at preventing exposures related to ENDS products.

National Estimates of hospital emergency department visits due to acute injuries associated with hookah smoking, United States, 2011-2019.

INTRODUCTION: Hookah (also known as waterpipe) smoking is associated with acute adverse health effects such as vomiting and fainting, symptoms related to carbon monoxide poisoning, and decreased pulmonary function, however, national estimates of hookah-related acute injuries are not currently available in the scientific literature. This study provides national estimates of United States hospital emergency department visits due to hookah-related acute injuries. METHODS: We analyzed 2011-2019 data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System to calculate national estimates of emergency department visits due to hookah-related acute injuries. National Electronic Injury Surveillance System data were gathered from approximately 100 United States hospitals selected as a probability sample of approximately 5000 hospitals with emergency departments. Each case contains information abstracted from all emergency department records involving injuries associated with consumer products. All individuals admitted to emergency departments who sustained hookah-related acute injuries were included in the study. RESULTS: During 2011-2019, an estimated 1371 (95% confidence interval: 505-2283) United States hospital emergency department visits were related to hookah-related acute injuries. The most common injuries were sustained from dizziness/light-headedness and syncopal episodes (54.8%), followed by burns (41.5%). Young adults aged 18-24 years accounted for 66.8% of hookah-related acute injuries admitted to United States emergency departments. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides national estimates of hospital emergency department visits due to hookah-related acute injuries. We found that hookah smoking related AIs mostly occurred among young adults. Study findings may inform public health policy and educational intervention efforts to prevent these events and complement other acute injury surveillance systems, such as the National Poison Data System.

Urinary Biomarkers of Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Wave 1 (2013-2014).

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are ubiquitous in the environment. In the United States (U.S.), tobacco smoke is the major non-occupational source of exposure to many harmful VOCs. Exposure to VOCs can be assessed by measuring their urinary metabolites (VOCMs). The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study is a U.S. national longitudinal study of tobacco use in the adult and youth civilian non-institutionalized population. We measured 20 VOCMs in urine specimens from a subsample of adults in Wave 1 (W1) (2013-2014) to characterize VOC exposures among tobacco product users and non-users. We calculated weighted geometric means (GMs) and percentiles of each VOCM for exclusive combustible product users (smokers), exclusive electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users, exclusive smokeless product users, and tobacco product never users. We produced linear regression models for six VOCMs with sex, age, race, and tobacco user group as predictor variables. Creatinine-ratioed levels of VOCMs from exposure to acrolein, crotonaldehyde, isoprene, acrylonitrile, and 1,3-butadiene were significantly higher in smokers than in never users. Small differences of VOCM levels among exclusive e-cigarette users and smokeless users were observed when compared to never users. Smokers showed higher VOCM concentrations than e-cigarette, smokeless, and never users. Urinary VOC metabolites are useful biomarkers of exposure to harmful VOCs.

Trends and Associations of Menthol Cigarette Smoking Among US Middle and High School Students-National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2011-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Youth cigarette smoking decreased significantly over the last two decades in the United States. This study provides estimates and trends from 2011 to 2018 and factors associated with youth menthol and non-menthol smoking from 2016 to 2018. METHODS: Using data from the 2011-2018 National Youth Tobacco Surveys, past 30-day (current) menthol and non-menthol cigarette smoking were estimated for all youth (prevalence) and youth smokers (proportions). Trends were examined using Joinpoint regression, calculating the annual percent change (APC). Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with menthol smoking. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2018, menthol cigarette smoking among current youth cigarette smokers significantly decreased from 57.3% to 45.7% (APC: -3.0%), while non-menthol (38.2% to 47.3% [APC: 2.9%]) and unknown menthol status (not sure\missing) (4.5% to 7.0% [APC: 7.1%]) significantly increased. Menthol cigarette smoking among high school, male, female, and non-Hispanic white current cigarette smokers decreased, but remained unchanged among middle school, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic smokers. Significantly higher proportions of menthol cigarette smokers smoked on ≥20 days, ≥2 cigarettes per day, and ≥100 cigarettes in their lifetime compared to non-menthol smokers. Among current cigarette smokers, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, flavored non-cigarette tobacco users, frequent smokers (≥20 days), those smoking 2-5 cigarettes per day, and those living with someone who uses tobacco had higher odds of menthol cigarette smoking. CONCLUSIONS: In 2018, nearly half of current youth cigarette smokers smoked menthol cigarettes. While menthol cigarette smoking declined from 2011 to 2018 among all youth and among youth smokers, there was no change in menthol cigarette smoking among non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and middle school cigarette smokers. IMPLICATIONS: This study finds that overall cigarette and menthol cigarette smoking declined in youth from 2011 to 2018. However, menthol cigarette smoking among non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and middle school youth cigarette smokers did not change. Information from this study can help inform efforts to reduce menthol cigarette smoking among US youth, particularly racial/ethnic minority populations.

Changes in Cigarettes per Day and Biomarkers of Exposure Among US Adult Smokers in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Waves 1 and 2 (2013-2015).

INTRODUCTION: Some studies have found some reduction in tobacco exposure and tobacco-related disease risk with decreased numbers of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD), but biomarker of exposure estimates by change in CPD are generally unavailable for the US population. METHODS: We analyzed biomarker of exposure data by smoking status from over 1100 adult exclusive daily cigarette smokers in Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study who were either exclusive daily smokers or had quit tobacco use entirely at Wave 2. Wave 1 smoking categories consisted of "very light" (1-4 CPD), "light" (5-9 CPD), "moderate" (10-19 CPD), and "heavy" (20+ CPD), and Wave 2 categories were "quitters" (stopped smoking entirely), exclusive cigarette "reducers" (CPD decreased ≥ 50%), "maintainers" (CPD within 50%-150% of Wave 1 value), and "increasers" (CPD increased ≥ 50%). RESULTS: Complete quitters had significantly lower levels of TNE-2, NNAL, NNN, 2-Fluorene, HPMA, CYMA, and MHB3 at Wave 2 for all Wave 1 CPD categories, and decreases were often large. Moderate "reducers" had lower levels of NNAL and 1-Hydroxypyrene at Wave 2, and heavy "reducers" had lower levels of NNAL, 2-Fluorene, and MHB3. Light "increasers" had higher levels of TNE-2, NNAL, 2-Fluorene, CYMA, and cadmium at Wave 2, and heavy "increasers" had higher levels of NNAL and HPMA. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking "reducers" and "increasers" had changes in some biomarker of tobacco exposure levels, but reductions were much greater and more consistent for complete quitters. IMPLICATIONS: PATH longitudinal cohort study data show that some exclusive daily cigarette smokers increase or decrease CPD over time. These differences may result in moderate changes in the levels of some biomarkers such as NNAL. Even so, however, reductions in biomarker levels are much greater with complete smoking cessation.

ENDS Flavor Preference by Menthol Cigarette Smoking Status among US Adults, 2018-2019.

E-cigarette flavor preference may differ among smokers using e-cigarettes, but little information is available on preferences by menthol cigarette status. Using nationally representative data for US adults from the 2018-2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, we analyzed e-cigarette flavor preference by menthol cigarette status and e-cigarette device type for dual-cigarette and e-cigarette users and e-cigarette users who had recently quit smoking by trying to switch to e-cigarettes ("switchers"). Approximately half (52.2%) of dual users of menthol cigarettes and e-cigarettes reported using menthol/mint-flavored e-cigarettes as did 41.4% of "switchers" who had smoked menthol cigarettes; exclusive menthol/mint flavor use was 13.1% for dual users and 21.3% for "switchers." A similar proportion (45.1%) of dual users who smoked nonmenthol cigarettes used tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes, but only 26.7% of "switchers" who had smoked nonmenthol cigarettes used tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes. Approximately 60% of dual users and "switchers" used fruit/other flavors, regardless of menthol cigarette use. By device type, 63.9% of dual users of cartridge-based e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes used menthol/mint-flavored e-cigarettes. Approximately 75% of dual users and 85% of "switchers" who used tank or mod systems used fruit/other flavors. Menthol cigarette smokers may be particularly likely to use menthol/mint e-cigarettes, and a majority of dual users and "switchers" used fruit/other flavors. These results can inform policy measures concerning flavored electronic nicotine delivery system products.