Longitudinal association of exclusive and dual use of cigarettes and cigars with asthma exacerbation among US adults: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cigar use among adults in the United States has remained relatively stable in the past decade and occupies a growing part of the tobacco marketplace as cigarette use has declined. While studies have established the detrimental respiratory health effects of cigarette use, the effects of cigar use need further characterization. In this study, we evaluate the prospective association between cigar use, with or without cigarettes, and asthma exacerbation. METHODS: We used data from Waves 1-5 (2013-2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study to run generalized estimating equation models examining the association between time-varying, one-wave-lagged cigarette and cigar use and self-reported asthma exacerbation among US adults (18+). We defined our exposure as non-established (reference), former, exclusive cigarette, exclusive cigar, and dual use. We defined an asthma exacerbation event as a reported asthma attack in the past 12 months necessitating oral or injected steroid medication or asthma symptoms disrupting sleep at least once a week in the past 30 days. We adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, household income, health insurance, established electronic nicotine delivery systems use, cigarette pack-years, secondhand smoke exposure, obesity, and baseline asthma exacerbation. RESULTS: Exclusive cigarette use (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.54) and dual use (IRR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.08-1.85) were associated with a higher rate of asthma exacerbation compared to non-established use, while former use (IRR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.80-1.28) and exclusive cigar use (IRR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.42-1.17) were not. CONCLUSION: We found no association between exclusive cigar use and self-reported asthma exacerbation. However, exclusive cigarette use and dual cigarette and cigar use were associated with higher incidence rates of self-reported asthma exacerbation compared to non-established use. Studies should evaluate strategies to improve cigarette and cigar smoking cessation among adults with asthma who continue to smoke.

Comparison of Indicators of Dependence for Vaping and Smoking: Trends Between 2017 and 2022 Among Youth in Canada, England, and the United States.

INTRODUCTION: The current study sought to examine trends in indicators of dependence for youth vaping and smoking during a period of rapid evolution in the e-cigarette market. AIMS AND METHODS: Data are from repeat cross-sectional online surveys conducted between 2017 and 2022 among youth aged 16-19 in Canada, England, and the United States (US). Participants were 23 145 respondents who vaped and/or smoked in the past 30 days. Four dependence indicators were assessed for smoking and vaping (perceived addiction, frequent strong urges, time to first use after waking, days used in past month) and two for vaping only (use events per day, e-cigarette dependence scale). Regression models examined differences by survey wave and country, adjusting for sex, age, race, and exclusive/dual use. RESULTS: All six indicators of dependence increased between 2017 and 2022 among youth who vaped in the past 30 days (p < .001 for all). For example, more youth reported strong urges to vape at least most days in 2022 than in 2017 (Canada: 26.5% to 53.4%; England: 25.5% to 45.4%; US: 31.6% to 50.3%). In 2017, indicators of vaping dependence were substantially lower than for smoking; however, by 2022, youth vaping was associated with a greater number of days used in the past month (Canada, US), shorter time to first use (all countries), and a higher likelihood of frequent strong urges (Canada, US) compared to youth smoking. CONCLUSIONS: From 2017 to 2022, indicators of vaping dependence increased substantially. By 2022, vaping dependence indices were comparable to those of smoking. IMPLICATIONS: Indicators of vaping dependence among youth have increased substantially since 2017 to levels that are comparable to cigarette dependence among youth who smoke. Future research should examine factors underlying the increase in dependence among youth who vape, including changes to the nicotine profile and design of e-cigarette products.

Use of Menthol Cigarettes and Accessories Among Youth Who Smoked After the Menthol Cigarette Ban in England and Canada, 2021: Implications for Health Equity.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined menthol cigarette use among youth who smoked, after menthol cigarette bans were implemented in England (May 2020) and Canada (October 2017). AIMS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional data come from 2021 ITC Youth Tobacco and Vaping Survey respondents aged 16-19 who smoked in the past 30 d in England (N = 715) and Canada (N = 419). Adjusted logistic regression models, estimated separately for each country, examined sociodemographic correlates of usually smoking menthol cigarettes (reporting currently most often smoking menthol cigarettes) overall, and by past 30-d use of any menthol accessories (e.g., filters, capsules). Youth reported the cigarette variety they smoked most often, coded as menthol or nonmenthol. RESULTS: Almost no youth who smoked in the past 30 d reported most often smoking a cigarette variety coded as menthol. However, 34.5% (95% CI: 30.4% to 38.9%) of youth who smoke in England and 30.9% (26.0%-36.3%) in Canada reported usually smoking menthol cigarettes, with greater odds of use among those identifying as black, or other race/ethnicity, respectively, compared to white in England (60.0%, aOR = 3.08, p = .001; 47.4%, aOR = 2.27, p = .011) and Canada (43.6%, aOR = 2.44, p = .046; 51.2%, aOR = 2.92, p = .001). Among those who reported usually smoking menthol cigarettes in England (N = 223) and Canada (N = 108), 71.7% (64.0%-78.2%) and 51.5% (41.1%-61.7%) reported using menthol accessories. CONCLUSIONS: After menthol cigarette bans in England and Canada, approximately one-third of youth who smoked reported usually smoking menthol cigarettes, with disproportionately higher use among those identifying as black and other race/ethnicity. Menthol accessories accounted for most menthol cigarette use. Closing regulatory loopholes is critical to advancing public health equity. IMPLICATIONS: Use of menthol cigarette accessories (eg, filters, cards, capsules) among youth who smoked was prevalent after implementation of menthol cigarette bans in England and Canada, and there was disproportionately higher use among those who identified as black and any other race/ethnicity. Efforts are therefore required to close regulatory loopholes of menthol cigarette bans. Findings further support countries, such as the United States, proposing menthol cigarette bans which extend coverage to accessories. More comprehensive menthol bans that also restrict accessories are likely to be more effective in reducing flavored tobacco use among young people and in advancing health equity.

Increased e-cigarette use prevalence is associated with decreased smoking prevalence among US adults.

BACKGROUND: If US adults who smoke cigarettes are switching to e-cigarettes, the effect may be observable at the population level: smoking prevalence should decline as e-cigarette prevalence increases, especially in sub-populations with highest e-cigarette use. This study aimed to assess such effects in recent nationally-representative data. METHODS: We updated a prior analysis with the latest available National Health Interview Survey data through 2022. Data were cross-sectional estimates of the yearly prevalence of smoking and e-cigarette use, respectively, among US adults and among specific age, race/ethnicity, and sex subpopulations. Non-linear models were fitted to observed smoking prevalence in the pre-e-cigarette era, with a range of 'cut-off' years explored (i.e., between when e-cigarettes were first introduced to when they became widely available). These trends were projected forward to predict what smoking prevalence would have been if pre-e-cigarette era trends had continued uninterrupted. The difference between actual and predicted smoking prevalence ('discrepancy') was compared to e-cigarette use prevalence in each year in the e-cigarette era to investigate whether the observed decline in smoking was statistically associated with e-cigarette use. RESULTS: Observed smoking prevalence in the e-cigarette era was significantly lower than expected based on pre-e-cigarette era trends; these discrepancies in smoking prevalence grew as e-cigarette use prevalence increased, and were larger in subpopulations with higher e-cigarette use, especially younger adults aged 18-34. Results were robust to sensitivity tests varying the analysis design. CONCLUSIONS: Population-level data continue to suggest that smoking prevalence has declined at an accelerated rate in the last decade in ways correlated with increased uptake of e-cigarette use.

Trends in Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking in Brazil: 2006-2019.

Objectives. To analyze trends in cigarette smoking among Brazilian adults from 2006 to 2019.Methods. We performed a time-series analysis based on data from the Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases Telephone Survey (n = 730 309). We calculated the annual prevalence of current cigarette smokers, heavy smokers, and passive smokers in the workplace and investigated linear trends using Prais-Winsten regression, for the entire period and for the past 5 years. We performed the analyses for the total population and according to the sociodemographic characteristics.Results. The prevalence of cigarette smoking, heavy smoking, and passive smoking in the workplace declined, respectively, an average of 3.99% per year, 5.65% per year, and 6.55% per year from 2006 to 2019. We observed this reduction regardless of gender, age, educational level, and geographic region. The magnitude of reduction in the prevalence of current cigarette smoking decreased in the past 5 years, while the magnitude of the change in heavy smoking increased.Conclusions. The prevalence of cigarette smoking decreased in the time period studied. The smaller magnitude of reduction for current cigarette smoking in the most recent years might indicate a fatigue with the current policy scenario.

Changes in Tobacco Use During the 2020 COVID-19 Lockdown in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: New Zealand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most restrictive lockdowns of any country, inevitably causing stress for many people. Because situations that increase stress and anxiety are associated with higher smoking prevalence, we examined self-reported smoking before and during the lockdown, and analyzed factors associated with reported changes in cigarette consumption. AIMS AND METHODS: We conducted an online panel survey of a demographically representative sample of 2010 adult New Zealanders during the COVID-19 lockdown; the final, weighted sample included 261 daily smokers and 71 weekly smokers. We measured psychological distress and anxiety, as well as situational factors, tobacco consumption, and demographic attributes. RESULTS: Nearly half of daily smokers reported smoking more during than before the lockdown, on average, an increase of six cigarettes a day; increased daily cigarette consumption was associated with loneliness and isolation. Most weekly smokers reported either that their smoking during the lockdown had not changed or had slightly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking cessation services need to anticipate that unexpected disruptions, such as pandemic lockdowns, may be associated with increased daily tobacco consumption, and that this increase may be sustained after lockdown. While public health responses to pandemics predictably focus on immediate and obvious consequences, interventions to support recent quitters and those making quit attempts should also form a key component of pandemic planning. IMPLICATIONS: As governments introduce unprecedented measures to manage COVID-19, they need also to consider other public health risks, such as increased smoking among current smokers or relapse among recent quitters. Evidence that loneliness was associated with increased smoking during a lockdown suggests a need for cessation out-reach strategies that promote and support smoke-free practices.

National, regional, and global prevalence of cigarette smoking among women/females in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This systematic and meta-analysis review aimed to provide an updated estimate of the prevalence of ever and current cigarette smoking in women, in geographic areas worldwide, and demonstrate a trend of the prevalence of smoking over time by using a cumulative meta-analysis. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published on the prevalence of ever and current cigarette smoking in women. We searched PubMed, Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, and Ovid from January 2010 to April 2020. The reference lists of the studies included in this review were also screened. Data were reviewed and extracted independently by two authors. A random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of ever and current cigarette smoking in women. Sources of heterogeneity among the studies were determined using subgroup analysis and meta-regression. RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of ever and current cigarette smoking in women was 28% and 17%, respectively. The pooled prevalence of ever cigarette smoking in adolescent girls/students of the school, adult women, pregnant women, and women with the disease was 23%, 27%, 32%, and 38%, respectively. The pooled prevalence of ever cigarette smoking in the continents of Oceania, Asia, Europe, America, and Africa was 36%, 14%, 38%, 31%, and 32%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cigarette smoking among women is very high, which is significant in all subgroups of adolescents, adults, and pregnant women. Therefore, it is necessary to design and implement appropriate educational programs for them, especially in schools, to reduce the side effects and prevalence of smoking among women.

Maternal cigarette smoking before and during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth: A dose-response analysis of 25 million mother-infant pairs.

BACKGROUND: Most of the women who smoke before pregnancy continue smoking during pregnancy, and some start to quit smoking after being pregnant, although existing guidelines for pregnancy recommend that women who smoke should quit smoking before pregnancy. Findings about the timing and intensity of maternal smoking, especially low-intensity smoking (1-9 cigarettes per day), and preterm birth are still inconsistent and ambiguous. This study aimed to examine the association of the timing of smoking and doses of smoking before pregnancy and during the first or second trimester of pregnancy with preterm birth in a large-scale population-based retrospective cohort study. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We used nationwide birth certificate data from singleton mother-infant pairs in the United States National Vital Statistics System, 2011-2018. All adult women with live singleton births, without preexisting hypertension or diabetes, and with complete data on smoking and gestational age at delivery were included. Participants reported their smoking status (yes or no) and daily number of cigarettes consumed before and during each trimester of pregnancy. The outcome of interest was preterm birth, defined as a birth before 37 weeks of gestation. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of preterm birth associated with smoking status and the number of cigarettes consumed, adjusting for maternal age, race/ethnicity, parity, education levels, prepregnancy BMI, previous history of preterm birth, marital status, infant sex, and initiation of prenatal care. This study included 25,623,479 women, with a mean age of 29 years (range 20-50 years); 13,742,486 (53.6%) participants were of non-Hispanic white ancestry, 5,971,598 (23.3%) of Hispanic ancestry, and 3,417,456 (13.34%) of non-Hispanic black ancestry. The prevalence of preterm birth was 9.3% (n = 2,378,398). We found that maternal smoking during pregnancy, even at a very low level of intensity, was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery. The adjusted ORs (95% CI) of preterm birth for mothers who smoked 1-2, 3-5, 6-9, 10-19, and ≥20 cigarettes per day during the first trimester compared with mothers who did not smoke were 1.31 (1.29-1.33), 1.31 (1.30-1.32), 1.33 (1.31-1.35), 1.44 (1.43-1.45), and 1.53 (1.52-1.55), respectively (all P values < 0.001), whereas for those who smoked during the second trimester, the corresponding ORs were 1.37 (1.35-1.39), 1.36 (1.35-1.38), 1.36 (1.34-1.38), 1.48 (1.47-1.49), and 1.59 (1.58-1.61), respectively (all P values < 0.001). Furthermore, smokers who quit before pregnancy, regardless of smoking intensity, had a comparable risk of preterm birth with nonsmokers, although this was not the case when cessation occurred in the first or second trimester of pregnancy. The major limitation of this study is the self-reported information about smoking, which may be subject to information bias. In addition, we cannot rule out the possibility of residual confounding caused by unmeasured factors in an observational research design. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed that low-intensity cigarette consumption during either the first or second trimester of pregnancy, even as low as 1-2 cigarettes per day, was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. These findings suggest that there is no safe level or safe trimester for maternal smoking during pregnancy. Women of reproductive age who smoke should be strongly encouraged and supported to quit smoking before pregnancy.

Prevalence and Trends in Cigarette Smoking Among Adults with Epilepsy - United States, 2010-2017.

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States (1). Although the percentage of all U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes has declined substantially since the mid-1960s (1,2), marked disparities persist, and declines have not been consistent across population groups (1,2). Studies have shown that cigarette smoking is as common, and sometimes more so, among adults with a history of epilepsy compared with those without a history of epilepsy, but reasons for this are unclear (3-6). Compared with adults without epilepsy, adults with epilepsy report lower household income, more unemployment and disability, worse psychological health, and reduced health-related quality of life (3,4,6,7). Trends in cigarette smoking among U.S. adults with epilepsy have not been previously assessed. CDC analyzed National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data among 121,497 U.S. adults from 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2017 to assess current cigarette smoking by epilepsy status. From 2010 through 2017, the age-standardized percentages of current smoking were 24.9% among adults with active epilepsy, 25.9% among adults with inactive epilepsy, and 16.6% among adults with no history of epilepsy. After accounting for differences in data collection intervals and patterns in smoking status among subgroups, CDC found that current cigarette smoking declined significantly from 2010 to 2017 among adults with no history of epilepsy (19.3% to 14.0% [p<0.001]) and inactive epilepsy (29.2% to 16.2% [p = 0.03]), but declines among adults with active epilepsy were not statistically significant (26.4% to 21.8% [p = 0.2]). Epilepsy health and social service providers should promote smoking cessation resources to adults with active epilepsy who smoke cigarettes to help them quit smoking and to reduce their risk of smoking-related disease and death.

Cerebellar Morphometry and Cognition in the Context of Chronic Alcohol Consumption and Cigarette Smoking.

BACKGROUND: Cerebellar atrophy (especially involving the superior-anterior cerebellar vermis) is among the most salient and clinically significant effects of chronic hazardous alcohol consumption on brain structure. Smaller cerebellar volumes are also associated with chronic cigarette smoking. The present study investigated effects of both chronic alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking on cerebellar structure and its relation to performance on select cognitive/behavioral tasks. METHODS: Using T1-weighted Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs), the Cerebellar Analysis Tool Kit segmented the cerebellum into bilateral hemispheres and 3 vermis parcels from 4 participant groups: smoking (s) and nonsmoking (ns) abstinent alcohol-dependent treatment seekers (ALC) and controls (CON) (i.e., sALC, nsALC, sCON, and nsCON). Cognitive and behavioral data were also obtained. RESULTS: We found detrimental effects of chronic drinking on all cerebellar structural measures in ALC participants, with largest reductions seen in vermis areas. Furthermore, both smoking groups had smaller volumes of cerebellar hemispheres but not vermis areas compared to their nonsmoking counterparts. In exploratory analyses, smaller cerebellar volumes were related to lower measures of intelligence. In sCON, but not sALC, greater smoking severity was related to smaller cerebellar volume and smaller superior-anterior vermis area. In sALC, greater abstinence duration was associated with larger cerebellar and superior-anterior vermis areas, suggesting some recovery with abstinence. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that both smoking and alcohol status are associated with smaller cerebellar structural measurements, with vermal areas more vulnerable to chronic alcohol consumption and less affected by chronic smoking. These morphometric cerebellar deficits were also associated with lower intelligence and related to duration of abstinence in sALC only.

Urine Metabolites for Estimating Daily Intake of Nicotine From Cigarette Smoking.

INTRODUCTION: Accurate measurement of nicotine exposure from cigarette smoke is important in studying disease risk and level of dependence. Urine total nicotine equivalents, the molar sum of nicotine and six metabolites (NE7), accounts for more than 90% of a nicotine dose and is independent of individual metabolic differences. However, measuring NE7 is technically difficult and costly. We compared NE7, the gold standard of nicotine intake, with different combinations of fewer urinary nicotine metabolites. We also examined the impact of individual differences in nicotine metabolic rate, sex, and race on strength of association with NE7. METHODS: Urine samples from 796 daily smokers, who participated across five clinical studies, were assayed for nicotine and/or metabolites. Associations with NE7 were assessed by regression and Bland-Altman analyses. RESULTS: Overall, the molar sum of urine [cotinine + 3'-hydroxycotinine (3HC)] (NE2) and [nicotine + cotinine + 3HC] (NE3) were strongly correlated with NE7 (r = .97 and .99, respectively). However, in slow metabolizers NE2 was less predictive of NE7, whereas NE3 was equally robust. Urine total cotinine was also strongly correlated with NE7 (r = .87). CONCLUSIONS: Urine NE3 is a robust biomarker of daily nicotine intake, independently of individual metabolic differences, whereas NE2 is less accurate in slow metabolizers. Our findings inform the selection of more rigorous and cost-effective measures to assess nicotine exposure in tobacco research studies. IMPLICATIONS: The molar sum of urine total nicotine, cotinine and 3HC (NE3) is a robust biomarker of daily nicotine intake, independently of individual metabolic differences, and performs as well as measuring seven nicotine metabolites (NE7). The sum of cotinine and 3HC (NE2) is less accurate in slow metabolizers. Our findings inform the selection of more rigorous and cost-effective measures to assess nicotine exposure in tobacco research studies.

Pharmacokinetic Profile of Spectrum Reduced Nicotine Cigarettes.

INTRODUCTION: Spectrum research cigarettes have been developed with varying nicotine content for use in studies evaluating the effects of a regulatory policy reducing the permissible nicotine content in cigarettes. This study aimed to characterize the nicotine pharmacokinetic profile of Spectrum cigarettes. METHODS: Twelve daily smokers attended four sessions and had blood nicotine, exhaled carbon monoxide, and subjective effects measured before and after smoking either a single cigarette of their preferred brand or high (10.9 mg/cigarette), medium (3.2 mg/cigarette), or low (0.2 mg/cigarette) nicotine content Spectrum research cigarettes, in a double-blind design with order counterbalanced. RESULTS: The boost in blood nicotine concentration was dose-dependent, with a boost of 0.3, 3.9, and 17.3 ng/mL for low-, medium-, and high-nicotine content Spectrum cigarettes. The high dose Spectrum had a similar nicotine boost to the "preferred brand" cigarettes (19 ng/mL). Subjects took longer puffs on the low nicotine cigarettes, but smoked these cigarettes faster than other cigarette types. High nicotine Spectrum cigarettes reduced the urge to smoke more than other cigarette types. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that Spectrum research cigarettes produce blood nicotine absorption in a dose-dependent manner, and therefore, are appropriate for use in studies of nicotine reduction in cigarettes. IMPLICATIONS: This is the first study to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of Spectrum reduced nicotine content research cigarettes following an overnight abstinence. These data could provide evidence to regulatory agencies about the effects of reduced nicotine cigarettes when considering regulations on tobacco reduction.

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.

Cigarette smoking quit ratios among adults in the USA with cannabis use and cannabis use disorders, 2002-2016.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cigarette smoking is nearly three times higher among persons who use cannabis and have cannabis use disorders (CUDs), relative to those who do not. The current study examined cigarette quit ratios from 2002 to 2016 among US adults with and without cannabis use and CUDs. METHODS: The current study analysed US adults aged 18 years and older from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual cross-sectional study. Quit ratios (ie, proportion of former smokers among ever-smokers) were calculated annually from 2002 to 2016. Time trends in quit ratios by cannabis use/CUDs were tested using logistic regression. RESULTS: In 2016, the quit ratios for people with any cannabis use (23%) and CUDs (15%) were less than half the quit ratios of those without cannabis use and CUDs (51% and 48%, respectively). After controlling for demographics and substance use disorders, the quit ratio did not change from 2002 to 2016 among persons with CUD, though it non-linearly increased among persons with cannabis use, without cannabis use and without CUDs. Quit ratios increased more rapidly among those who reported past-month cannabis use compared with those without past-month cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking quit ratios remain dramatically lower among people who use cannabis and have CUDs and quit ratios did not change significantly from 2002 to 2016 among those with CUDs. Public health and clinical attention are needed to increase quit ratios and reduce harmful cigarette smoking consequences for persons with cannabis use and CUDs.

Cohort effects of tobacco control policy: evidence to support a tobacco-free norm through smoke-free policy.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cigarette smoking among South Korean adolescents has decreased markedly over the past decade, which may indicate a norm shift between generations of adolescents. The present study aims to identify the effect of banning smoking in public places and increasing cigarette prices on current adolescent smoking, and to determine whether these policies additionally resulted in cohort effects. METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional survey data, nationally representative of South Korean adolescents, were used. A total of 853 441 adolescents ranging in age from 12 to 18 years (mean age, 15 years) were identified. Models applied were segmented regression model to detect changes in smoking trends and age-period-cohort model to determine the cohort effects on the trends. FINDINGS: Between 2006 and 2017, smoking decreased from 16% to 9% in boys and from 9% to 3% in girls. After a complete ban on smoking in public places, there were significantly negative trends in the prevalence of smoking for both boys (ß=-1.1; 95% CI: -1.9 to -0.2) and girls (ß=-0.4; 95% CI: -0.6 to -0.1). Immediate decrease among girls was found after cigarette prices increased (ß=-0.8; 95% CI: -1.5 to -0.2). For the cohort effect, the risk of smoking decreased with every consecutive year for boys born after 1998 and girls born after 1997. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the presence of cohort effects in the reduction of adolescent smoking. The cohort effect was induced by smoke-free legislation. Research on cohort effects, and methods to denormalise tobacco, will contribute to preventing adolescents from ever trying a cigarette.

Polytobacco use among young adult smokers: prospective association with cigarette consumption.

BACKGROUND: The risks of polytobacco use among young adults are unclear because we know relatively little about the consistency of multiproduct patterns over time and how these patterns impact cigarette smoking. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in multiple tobacco product use over time and associations with cigarette smoking quantity. METHODS: Participants (n=335; 55% male) were 18-24 years old non-daily cigarette smokers living in California. Polytobacco use patterns were assessed quarterly for 2 years. RESULTS: Transition analyses showed that while the number of products that had been used recently was volatile, the most common pattern was stability between timepoints. A longitudinal negative binomial regression model indicated that those who used more non-cigarette products also reported greater cigarette quantity. The strength of this relationship increased over time. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that individuals who use more tobacco products are at greater risk for increased cigarette smoking and maintaining a multiple product use pattern.

Changes in roll-your-own tobacco and cigarette sales volume and prices before, during and after plain packaging legislation in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Plain packaging and minimum pack size legislation for tobacco products was introduced in the UK in May 2016, with a 1-year sell-off period until May 2017, during which both fully branded and plain packs of various sizes were legally available. This study investigates trends in prices of roll-your-own tobacco (RYO) before, during and after implementation of this legislation, and compares trends with those observed in the cigarette market. METHODS: We used Nielsen Scantrack data for the period from March 2013 to June 2018 to describe trends in UK inflation-adjusted prices and volumes of both RYO and cigarettes, and linear regression to estimate changes in prices associated with the introduction of plain packaging and the minimum pack sizes of 30 g RYO and 20 cigarettes. RESULTS: In contrast to a downward trend in cigarette sales volumes, RYO volumes rose throughout the study period. By the time plain packs accounted for 75% or more of sales, the average price of products sold in equivalent pack sizes had increased, relative to average prices in the year before implementation and with adjustment for tax changes, from 34.9 to 38.8 pence per gram for RYO (mean difference 4.26, 95% CI 3.99 to 4.53 pence, 12% increase), and from 38.6 to 41.13 pence for cigarettes (mean difference 2.53, 95% CI 2.24 to 2.83 pence, 7% increase) per cigarette. CONCLUSIONS: New legislation resulted in higher prices for RYO and manufactured cigarettes. However, sales volumes of RYO continued to increase throughout the study period, perhaps because RYO remains a less expensive means of smoking tobacco.

Cigarette Smoking and E-Cigarette Use by Pharmacy Students in Serbia.

The purpose of this study was to assess the use of e-cigarettes among pharmacy students. In 2016, we conducted a cross-sectional study among pharmacy students enrolled at the University of Kragujevac (Serbia). Overall, 47.0% of pharmacy students reported that they ever smoked cigarettes; 29.7% were former and 17.3% were current smokers. The overall prevalence of e-cigarette use was 9.9%. The final year pharmacy students significantly more frequently smoked tobacco cigarettes (p = .001) and used e-cigarettes (p = .009) compared to younger students. Also, alcohol use was positively related to ever smoking tobacco cigarettes (adjusted OR = 4.57, 95% CI = 2.80-7.43; p < .001) and to ever use of e-cigarettes (adjusted OR = 5.58, 95% CI = 1.58-19.71; p = .008). The pharmacy students who ever used e-cigarettes more frequently reported a history of self-funded study financing (adjusted OR = 14.68, 95% CI = 2.42-89.17; p = .004) and use of psychoactive substances (adjusted OR = 13.63, 95% CI = 2.52-73.69; p = .002). In pharmacy students, a higher overall grade was related to a significantly less frequent ever use of tobacco cigarettes (adjusted OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.22-0.84, p = .015). This paper highlights the need for a more effective tobacco control among pharmacy students in Serbia in order to reduce smoking prevalence.

Rural-Urban Differences in the Decline of Adolescent Cigarette Smoking.

OBJECTIVES: To examine change over time in cigarette smoking among rural and urban adolescents and to test whether rates of change differ by rural versus urban residence. METHODS: We used the 2008 through 2010 and 2014 through 2016 US National Survey of Drug Use and Health to estimate prevalence and adjusted odds of current cigarette smoking among rural and urban adolescents aged 12 to 17 years in each period. To test for rural-urban differences in the change between periods, we included an interaction between residence and time. RESULTS: Between 2008 to 2010 and 2014 to 2016, cigarette smoking rates declined for rural and urban adolescents; however, rural reductions lagged behind urban reductions. Controlling for socioeconomic characteristics, rural versus urban odds of cigarette smoking did not differ in 2008 through 2010; however, in 2014 through 2016, rural youths had 50% higher odds of smoking than did their urban peers. CONCLUSIONS: Differential reductions in rural youth cigarette smoking have widened the rural-urban gap in current smoking rates for adolescents. Public Health Implications. To continue gains in adolescent cigarette abstinence and reduce rural-urban disparities, prevention efforts should target rural adolescents.

Trends in Single, Dual, and Poly Use of Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Marijuana Among US High-School Students: 1991-2017.

Objectives. To evaluate trends in patterns (single, dual, or poly) of current use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana (ACM) among youths in the United States. Methods. I used data from the 1991-2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (n = 203 663) to report average annual percentage change (AAPC) and linear trends of single, dual, and poly use of ACM among youths. Results. From 1991 to 2017, the prevalence of marijuana-only use increased from 0.6% to 6.3% (AAPC = 7.4) while the prevalence of use of alcohol only or cigarettes only significantly declined. Dual use of alcohol and marijuana increased from 3.6% to 7.6% (AAPC = 2.4), while dual use of alcohol and cigarettes declined from 11.8% to 1.7% (AAPC = -7.5). The prevalence of poly use of ACM declined from 9.4% to 4.4%. There is an enlarged disparity in use of marijuana only by race/ethnicity with an increase of 11.5% among non-Hispanic Blacks and an increase of 8.1% among Hispanics, compared with an increase of 3.4% among non-Hispanic Whites. Conclusions. The use patterns of ACM among youths have changed with a surge in use of marijuana only, especially among racial/ethnic minorities.