Bi-allelic ACBD6 variants lead to a neurodevelopmental syndrome with progressive and complex movement disorders.

The acyl-CoA-binding domain-containing protein 6 (ACBD6) is ubiquitously expressed, plays a role in the acylation of lipids and proteins and regulates the N-myristoylation of proteins via N-myristoyltransferase enzymes (NMTs). However, its precise function in cells is still unclear, as is the consequence of ACBD6 defects on human pathophysiology. Using exome sequencing and extensive international data sharing efforts, we identified 45 affected individuals from 28 unrelated families (consanguinity 93%) with bi-allelic pathogenic, predominantly loss-of-function (18/20) variants in ACBD6. We generated zebrafish and Xenopus tropicalis acbd6 knockouts by CRISPR/Cas9 and characterized the role of ACBD6 on protein N-myristoylation with myristic acid alkyne (YnMyr) chemical proteomics in the model organisms and human cells, with the latter also being subjected further to ACBD6 peroxisomal localization studies. The affected individuals (23 males and 22 females), aged 1-50 years, typically present with a complex and progressive disease involving moderate-to-severe global developmental delay/intellectual disability (100%) with significant expressive language impairment (98%), movement disorders (97%), facial dysmorphism (95%) and mild cerebellar ataxia (85%) associated with gait impairment (94%), limb spasticity/hypertonia (76%), oculomotor (71%) and behavioural abnormalities (65%), overweight (59%), microcephaly (39%) and epilepsy (33%). The most conspicuous and common movement disorder was dystonia (94%), frequently leading to early-onset progressive postural deformities (97%), limb dystonia (55%) and cervical dystonia (31%). A jerky tremor in the upper limbs (63%), a mild head tremor (59%), parkinsonism/hypokinesia developing with advancing age (32%) and simple motor and vocal tics were among other frequent movement disorders. Midline brain malformations including corpus callosum abnormalities (70%), hypoplasia/agenesis of the anterior commissure (66%), short midbrain and small inferior cerebellar vermis (38% each) as well as hypertrophy of the clava (24%) were common neuroimaging findings. Acbd6-deficient zebrafish and Xenopus models effectively recapitulated many clinical phenotypes reported in patients including movement disorders, progressive neuromotor impairment, seizures, microcephaly, craniofacial dysmorphism and midbrain defects accompanied by developmental delay with increased mortality over time. Unlike ACBD5, ACBD6 did not show a peroxisomal localization and ACBD6-deficiency was not associated with altered peroxisomal parameters in patient fibroblasts. Significant differences in YnMyr-labelling were observed for 68 co- and 18 post-translationally N-myristoylated proteins in patient-derived fibroblasts. N-myristoylation was similarly affected in acbd6-deficient zebrafish and X. tropicalis models, including Fus, Marcks and Chchd-related proteins implicated in neurological diseases. The present study provides evidence that bi-allelic pathogenic variants in ACBD6 lead to a distinct neurodevelopmental syndrome accompanied by complex and progressive cognitive and movement disorders.

Intention for COVID-19 vaccination: predictors and sources of influence.

Context: General acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination is needed to end the pandemic, but vaccine hesitancy is a challenge. Identifying predictors of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and sources of positive influence on vaccine decisions could inform and guide the efforts to improve vaccination rates. Objective: 1) To determine the proportion and predictors of vaccine intentions among adults served by our mobile free clinic. 2) To determine the sources of positive influence on vaccine uptake. Study Design: Cross-sectional (phone-survey) study. Setting: Mobile free clinic, Athens, GA. Population studied: Adults with direct phone numbers who tested negative for COVID-19 through our mobile free clinic from 6/1/20-7/9/20 (358 eligible, N=55). Outcome Measures: Intention to get COVID-19 vaccine once available, overall, and by personal characteristics (age, sex, race, and education) and by potential predictors (receipt of flu or other adult vaccines, health insurance status, worry about impact of the pandemic on health and finances, and frequency of mask wearing, distancing, and hand washing). Associations examined using chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and logistic regression. Frequency of positive, negative, or no influence on vaccine decisions was examined for health care providers, public health officials, family, friends, political and religious leaders, and news and social media. Results: Overall, 66% intended to get vaccinated. Reported flu vaccination in the last year was positively associated with COVID-19 vaccine intention (OR 4.4, 95% CI: 1.3-14.7), but reported receipt of other adult vaccines was not. Higher frequency of worry about impact of COVID-19 on health was also positively associated with vaccine intention (always worry 83%; p=0.006). No other significant variations by personal characteristics or listed potential predictors were observed. The largest proportion of adults identified health care providers (66%) and family (62%) as positive influences; social media had the smallest proportion (8% positive, 6% negative) on intention to accept vaccination. Conclusions: Similar to national averages, 66% of our sample intended to accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Flu vaccination in the last year and worrying about health during the pandemic predicted intention to receive the vaccine. Health care providers were most frequently identified as a positive influence on vaccine uptake, underscoring the importance of their role in recommending COVID-19 vaccinations.

Cluster analysis of urinary tobacco biomarkers among U.S. adults: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) biomarker study (2013-2014).

Tobacco use delivers nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are metabolized and excreted in urine offering useful biomarkers of exposure. Previous studies compared individual toxicants across tobacco users. Based on a group of biomarkers, cluster analysis was used to define tobacco toxicant exposure profiles. Clusters with distinct exposure profiles, were determined and described, based on levels of urinary biomarkers of exposure to nicotine, TSNAs, VOCs, and PAHs among a national sample of current, established, adult tobacco users, and examine the association of use behavior and cluster membership. The PATH Biomarker Wave 1 data were analyzed. Current established tobacco users with complete urinary biomarker data were included (N = 6724). User groups included cigarette smokers, users of electronic cigarette (ECIG), smokeless tobacco (SLT), and dual and poly tobacco users. Cluster analysis, pairwise comparisons, and multinomial logistic regression were conducted. Cigarette smokers were primarily in clusters with high biomarker concentrations across all groups, but actual concentrations were associated with smoking quantity. A cluster with high TSNAs but low levels of PAHs and VOCs was heavily populated by SLT users. Exclusive ECIG users, depending on use frequency, were predominantly in clusters with low biomarker concentrations, except for one cluster that had relatively high TSNAs. Clusters heavily populated by dual and poly tobacco users were the same as those heavily populated by cigarette smokers. Ten exposure profiles (clusters) were determined and linked to tobacco use behavior. Findings could inform future research and policy initiatives.

Flavors and Risk: Perceptions of Flavors in Little Cigars and Cigarillos Among U.S. Adults, 2015.

Introduction: Flavored little cigars, cigarillos, and filtered cigars (LCCs) are popular and pose unique health risks. This study explored risk perceptions of flavors in LCCs and the relationship between perceptions and use among U.S. adults. Methods: Data were from the 2015 Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Survey of a national probability sample of 6051 adults, conducted online, August-September, 2015. The analytic sample consisted of 5105 adults aware of LCCs and 2174 who had ever used any type of LCCs. Results: Just over half of adults reported flavors in LCCs as "very" or "somewhat" risky, while more than one-third of adults reported they did not know the risks of flavors in LCCs. Younger adults, males, and users of any LCCs were more likely than older adults, females and non-users, respectively, to perceive LCC flavors as less risky. Those who perceived LCC flavors as "not at all risky" or "a little risky" were roughly twice as likely to have ever used flavored LCCs compared to those who reported not knowing the risks (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.16 to 3.69 and AOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.26 to 3.06). Those who reported LCC flavors as "very risky" were also more likely to have ever used flavored LCCs than those who reported not knowing the risks (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.98). Conclusions: Though the proportion of adults assigning low risk to flavors in LCCs is small, these adults are more likely to use flavored LCCs. The association of use with risk perceptions of flavors in LCCs should be addressed in health risk campaigns. Implications: Flavored LCCs are popular, particularly among young adults. While understanding the impact of flavors is an FDA research priority, little is currently known about perceptions of risk associated with flavors in LCCs. This study explores the nature of risk perceptions of flavors in LCCs, and the relationship between perceptions and flavored LCC use. We conclude that perception of risk of flavors in LCCs is related to use of these products, particularly perception of less risk. Considering the relationship between use and risk perceptions would be helpful in constructing health risk messaging.

Risk Perceptions of Little Cigar and Cigarillo Smoking Among Adult Current Cigarette Smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have examined the perceptions of risk of little cigar and cigarillo (LCC) smoking among cigarette smokers, which is important for expanding regulatory policies and developing prevention programs. We examined current cigarette smokers' perceived harm of LCC smoking, and determined whether these perceptions were associated with susceptibility and intention to continue smoking LCCs. METHODS: Data were from the 2014 Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Survey of a probability sample of 5717 US adults. Data were analyzed for a subsample of 1191 current cigarette smokers who were stratified into three groups: (1) dual current cigarette smokers who had ever used LCCs, (2) current smokers susceptible to LCC smoking, and (3) current smokers who were not susceptible to LCC smoking. RESULTS: Overall, 47.2% of participants were dual smokers, 12.7% were susceptible to LCC smoking, and 40.1% were not susceptible. Perceptions of risk of LCCs varied across the groups. Dual smokers were more likely to perceive that daily LCC smoking is "very risky" (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.08, 2.41) while occasional LCC smoking is only "somewhat risky" (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.02, 2.87). Of the dual smokers, 20.7% intended to continue smoking LCCs in the future. Perceptions of addiction and risk of daily LCC smoking significantly predicted intention to continue LCC smoking. Addiction perceptions also significantly predicted susceptibility to initiate LCC smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions about harms from and addiction to LCCs could predict future LCC smoking. Health communication campaigns need to address the harms of LCCs. IMPLICATIONS: Our data suggest that perceptions of risk about the addictiveness of LCCs and frequency of use are important determinants of the LCC smoking susceptibility among some cigarette smokers and intended continued use among cigarette smokers with a history of LCC use. Health communication campaigns should address misperceptions related to LCCs.

Opinions about electronic cigarette use in smoke-free areas among U.S. Adults, 2012.

INTRODUCTION: In the United States, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are currently unregulated, extensively marketed, and experiencing a rapid increase in use. The purpose of this study was to examine the opinions of U.S. adults about e-cigarette use in smoke-free public areas. METHODS: Data were obtained from the online HealthStyle survey administered to a probability sample of a nationally representative online panel. The study included 4,043U.S. adults, aged 18 years or older who responded to this question, "Do you think e-cigarette should be allowed to be used in public areas where tobacco smoking is prohibited?" Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to examine opinions on e-cigarette use in smoke-free areas by sex, age, race/ethnicity, household income, education, census region, and cigarette smoking status and e-cigarette awareness and ever use. RESULTS: Overall, about 40% of adults were uncertain whether e-cigarettes should be allowed in smoke-free areas, 37% opposed, while 23% favored their use in smoke-free public places. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that adults who were aware, ever used e-cigarettes, and current cigarette smokers were more likely to express an "in favor" opinion than adults who expressed an uncertain opinion (don't know). CONCLUSION: Over 75% of U.S. adults reported uncertainty or disapproval of the use of e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas. Current cigarette smokers, adults aware or have ever used e-cigarettes were more supportive to exempting e-cigarettes from smoking restrictions. With impending regulation and the changing e-cigarette landscape, continued monitoring and research on public opinions about e-cigarette use in smoke-free places are needed.

Promotion of waterpipe tobacco use, its variants and accessories in young adult newspapers: a content analysis of message portrayal.

The objective of our study was to identify waterpipe tobacco smoking advertisements and those that promoted a range of products and accessories used to smoke waterpipe tobacco. The content of these advertisements was analyzed to understand the messages portrayed about waterpipe tobacco smoking in young adult (aged 18-30) newspapers. The study methods include monitoring of six newspapers targeting young adults from four major cities in the Southeastern United States over a 6-month period. A total of 87 advertisements were found; 73.5% (64) were distinct and content analyzed. The study results showed that of the advertisements analyzed, 25% advertised waterpipe tobacco smoking, 54.7% featured waterpipe tobacco smoking and other tobacco use, 14.1% featured non-tobacco waterpipe variants (i.e. vaporizers), and 6.3% featured waterpipe apparatus accessories (e.g. charcoal, hoses). The sociability (34%) and sensuality (29.7%) of waterpipe smoking were promoted themes. Alternative to cigarette use messages (3.1%), and harm-reduction messages (17.1%) emphasized that smoking waterpipe tobacco using the featured accessory or waterpipe variant was a healthier experience than cigarette smoking. The study concluded that the messages that promoted waterpipe tobacco smoking to young adults are parallel to those used to promote cigarette use. Tobacco control professionals should continue to monitor young adult newspapers as a source of waterpipe-related advertising.

Inequities in routine preventive care utilization among persons with overweight/obesity in the United States: An analysis of nativity, racial and ethnic identity, and socioeconomic status.

Extant literature documented various health disparities among immigrants and racial and ethnically marginalized individuals in the United States. However, health disparities in the intersection of nativity and race are generally less visited. This cross-sectional study assessed utilization of routine preventive care among adults with overweight/obesity at the junction of their nativity, racial/ethnic identity, and socioeconomic status (i.e., income and education). Pooling data on 120,184 adults with overweight/obesity from the 2013-2018 waves of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), we estimated modified Poisson regressions with robust standard errors to obtain adjusted prevalence rates of preventive care visit, receiving flu shot, and having blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose screened. We found that immigrant adults with overweight/obesity had lower rates of utilization of all five preventive care services. However, these patterns varied by racial and ethnic sub-populations. While White immigrants had comparable rates of cholesterol and blood glucose screening, they had 2.7%, 2.9%, and 14.5% lower rates of preventive care visit, blood pressure screening, and getting a flu shot respectively, compared to native-born Whites. These patterns were similar for Asian immigrants as well. Black immigrants, on the other hand, had comparable rates of getting a flu shot and blood glucose screening, and had 5.2%, 4.9%, and 4.9% lower rates of preventive care visit, blood pressure screening, and cholesterol screening respectively. Lastly, the rates of utilization among Hispanic immigrants were significantly lower (ranging from 9.2% to 20%) than those of their native-born counterparts for all five preventive care services. These rates further varied by education, income, and length of stay in the US, within the racial and ethnic subgroups. Our findings thus suggest a complex relationship between nativity and racial/ethnic identity in relation to preventive care utilization among adults with overweight/obesity.

Preventive Behaviors Among Leukemia and Lymphoma Cancer Survivors: Results From the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.

Introduction: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an important factor in promoting positive outcomes for cancer survivors. Health behaviors, such as engaging in physical activity, not consuming large amounts of alcohol, abstaining from cigarette smoking, receiving routine immunizations, and undergoing recommended cancer screening tests, may lead to improved physical health, health status, and quality of life. Methods: We examined preventive behaviors among hematologic cancer survivors in a cross-sectional analysis, using data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Results: Adherence to cancer screening test and immunization recommendations among hematologic cancer survivors compares favorably with that among persons with no history of cancer. However, no statistically significant differences in the frequency of current smoking, heavy drinking, and physical activity were observed across these 2 groups. No important differences were observed in health behaviors between male and female cancer survivors, except that female hematologic cancer survivors were more likely to adhere to influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia immunization recommendations than female survivors of other types of cancer, whereas no such differences were found among their male counterparts. Conclusions: Although hematologic cancer survivors were more adherent to preventive health behaviors such as cancer screening and immunization, they were not different from persons without any history of cancer in exhibiting behavioral risk factors such as smoking and heavy drinking. Intervention studies are needed to identify effective ways to assist hematologic cancer survivors to quit smoking and refrain from hazardous alcohol consumption.

Molecular characterization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient variants in Baghdad city - Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Although G6PD deficiency is the most common genetically determined blood disorder among Iraqis, its molecular basis has only recently been studied among the Kurds in North Iraq, while studies focusing on Arabs in other parts of Iraq are still absent. METHODS: A total of 1810 apparently healthy adult male blood donors were randomly recruited from the national blood transfusion center in Baghdad. They were classified into G6PD deficient and non-deficient individuals based on the results of methemoglobin reduction test (MHRT), with confirmation of deficiency by subsequent enzyme assays. DNA from deficient individuals was studied using a polymerase chain reaction-Restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for four deficient molecular variants, namely G6PD Mediterranean (563 C→T), Chatham (1003 G→A), A- (202 G→A) and Aures (143 T→C). A subset of those with the Mediterranean variant, were further investigated for the 1311 (C→T) silent mutation. RESULTS: G6PD deficiency was detected in 109 of the 1810 screened male individuals (6.0%). Among 101 G6PD deficient males molecularly studied, the Mediterranean mutation was detected in 75 cases (74.3%), G6PD Chatham in 5 cases (5.0%), G6PD A- in two cases (2.0%), and G6PD Aures in none. The 1311 silent mutation was detected in 48 out of the 51 G6PD deficient males with the Mediterranean variant studied (94.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Three polymorphic variants namely: the Mediterranean, Chatham and A-, constituted more than 80% of G6PD deficient variants among males in Baghdad. Iraq. This observation is to some extent comparable to other Asian Arab countries, neighboring Turkey and Iran.

Cigarette smoking after surviving breast cancer: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Quitting smoking improves cancer survival and improves symptoms of cancer and its treatment. Cancer diagnosis presents a powerful motivation for leading a healthier lifestyle and embracing behavioral changes, such as quitting smoking. Many smokers quit after a cancer diagnosis, but some survivors continue to smoke. This study examined the characteristics associated with being a former rather than a current smoker among women treated for breast cancer. METHODS: In this pilot, cross-sectional study, data were collected via postal surveys in women who had a history of smoking and breast cancer (N = 69). Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with smoking status. RESULTS: Of this sample, 13 were current smokers and 56 were former smokers. Age, race, education, and employment status were not associated with smoking status. Women with a higher income were significantly more likely to have successfully quit smoking (former smoking OR = 5.94, p < 0.05). Most women were light smokers and reported intentions to quit. CONCLUSION: The study attests to the addictive nature of smoking and the difficulty in achieving successful quitting even after breast cancer diagnosis. Results highlighted the role of low income as a barrier in smoking cessation. A follow up study is warranted to uncover potential barriers to smoking cessation in order to individualize tobacco treatment to meet the needs of motivated light smoking cancer patients. Intensive innovative tobacco treatment approaches are warranted, to reach successful cessation particularly among cancer patients with lower income.

A Health Survey of African American Men Seen at an Academic Medical Center in the Southern United States.

BACKGROUND: African Americans have poorer cardiovascular health and higher chronic disease mortality than non-Hispanic whites. The high burden of chronic diseases among African Americans is a primary cause of disparities in life expectancy between African Americans and whites. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study via a postal survey among a sample of 65 male, African American patients aged ≥ 40 years. The overall objective was to examine the frequency of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, asthma, emphysema, and cancer among patients treated at Augusta University Health. RESULTS: A high percentage of study participants (81.5 %) reported a history of high blood pressure; 50.8% had high cholesterol; 44.3% were overweight, 44.3% were obese, and 13.9% were current cigarette smokers. About 36.9% of the men had a reported history of diabetes; 10.8% of the men had a history of heart attack, 13.9% had a history of congestive heart failure, 9.2% had a history of stroke, and 15.4% had a history of prostate cancer. Men who reported a personal history of prostate cancer were significantly more likely to have a history of heart attack and stroke and to be overweight (p < 0.05 in each instance). DISCUSSION: Additional studies are needed of cardiovascular risk factors and adverse cardiovascular events among African American men, and interventional research aimed at controlling hypertension. Of particular concern is prostate cancer, and whether patients with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes are receiving appropriate therapy to reduce their cardiovascular risk and prevent morbidity and mortality from adverse cardiovascular events.

Cardiovascular Disease among Breast Cancer Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Among breast cancer survivors age > 50 years, deaths due to cardiovascular disease account for 35% of non-cancer related deaths. The increases in cardiovascular disease among breast cancer survivors is due to the cardiotoxic effects of breast cancer treatment and to overlapping risk factors for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: We conducted a study of a sample of 164 breast cancer patients in order to examine the frequency of cardiovascular disease. The overall objective was to examine the frequency of high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, stroke, and venous thrombosis/thromboembolism among women who have been diagnosed with stage I-IV breast cancer and who had completed primary therapy for the disease. Data were collected by postal survey and abstraction of electronic medical records. RESULTS: A high percentage of the women (62.8%) had a reported history of high blood pressure. Fifty percent of the women had a reported history of high cholesterol. About 8.3% of the women were current smokers and 36.0% were former smokers. About 23.8% of the women had a reported history of diabetes. About 4.9% of the women had a reported history of congestive heart failure and 6.1% had a history of stroke. DISCUSSION: Additional studies are needed of cardiovascular risk factors and adverse cardiovascular events among breast cancer survivors. Of particular concern is whether patients with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes are receiving appropriate therapy to reduce their cardiovascular risk and prevent morbidity and mortality from adverse cardiovascular events.

Affect Predicts Small Cigar Use in a National Sample of US Young Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Affect is an important dimension of risk perceptions, which are proximal determinants of little cigar and cigarillo (LCC) smoking. We examined the association among affect, risk perceptions, and current LCC use and susceptibility in a national probability sample of US young adults, aged 18-29. METHODS: Structural equation models examined the effect of affect, via risk perceptions, on LCC current use and susceptibility for 772 young adults who took the 2015 Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Survey, which asked about affect for images related to LCCs and health risks of daily LCC use. RESULTS: Positive affect toward LCCs was associated with lower perceived risks of daily LCC smoking (p < .001). Lower perceived risks were associated with higher probability of current LCC smoking (p = .008) among young adults who were aware of LCCs and with susceptibility to use among young adult never LCC users (p < .001). A direct effect of positive affect on current LCC use (p < .02) and susceptibility to use LCCs also was found. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should investigate how regulatory policy or enforcement actions can be used to regulate LCC components (eg, flavoring, advertising, etc) that influence affect and risk perceptions.

Correction: The Knowledge Translation Status in Selected Eastern-Mediterranean Universities and Research Institutes.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103732.].

Who are the smokers who never plan to quit and what do they think about the risks of using tobacco products?

INTRODUCTION: Smoking cigarettes is the most harmful way to use tobacco. Smokers who do not plan to quit present a particular challenge in reducing the morbidity and mortality from tobacco use. Switching to a lower harm product might encourage them to end their use of combusted cigarettes. This study aimed to better understand smokers who do not intend to quit (including their demographic and worldviews as indicators of their social, cultural, and political dispositions) and their perceived risks of cigarettes and possible lower-risk products such as e-cigarettes. METHODS: Participants were 2572 current smokers. Data were pooled from 2015 and 2016 cross-sectional surveys of national probability samples of U.S. adults and analyzed with multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: Smokers who never plan to quit comprise 14.3% of current U.S. smokers and are more likely to be older (24.2% among 65+ years old vs. 9.8% among 18-24) and less likely to have ever used e-cigarettes. A one-unit increase in hierarchical worldview (measured on a 1-6 scale) was associated with a 20% increase in the odds of never planning to quit. Those who denied that cigarettes cause disease or death (aORs between 1.6 and 2.0) or were uncertain (aORs: 2.5-2.7) were more likely to never plan to quit compared to those who agreed. They did not view risks of e-cigarettes substantially different compared to smokers who plan to quit. CONCLUSION: One in seven U.S. smokers never plans to quit and might benefit from interventions which reflect their hierarchical worldviews and increase their risk perceptions of combustible cigarettes.

Little cigars and cigarillos: Affect and perceived relative harm among U.S. adults, 2015.

INTRODUCTION: Similar to cigarette smoking, consumption of cigars delivers nicotine and byproducts of tobacco combustion and elevates the risk of addiction, illness, and premature death. This study examined the relationship of affect, perceived relative harm, and LCC smoking behavior among U.S. adults. METHODS: Data were from Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Survey conducted in 2015. The study included a probability based sample of 6051 adults (18+) drawn from an online research panel. A current LCC smoker was defined as having ever smoked LCCs and was currently smoking LCCs every day, somedays, or rarely. Participants were asked whether smoking LCCs was less harmful, had about the same level of harm, or was more harmful than smoking regular cigarettes. Feelings about LCCs were collected using word association technique. Descriptive and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: About 7% of the study participants were current LCC smokers. Adults with positive feelings had four-fold the adjusted odds to be current LCC smokers. Perceiving LCCs to be less harmful had 2.7 higher adjusted odds of being current LCC smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to cigarettes, LCCs evoked more positive feelings among adults and these positive feelings were strongly associated with both perceiving LCCs as less harmful than cigarettes and with current LCC smoking. Cessation and prevention interventions would benefit from applying the principles of social marketing in which information is provided not only to inform consumers but also to evoke negative feelings and associations with LCC smoking.

Prevalence and harm perceptions of hookah smoking among U.S. adults, 2014-2015.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with hookah smoking and perceptions of harm among U.S. adults. Data were pooled from the Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Surveys conducted separately in the summers of 2014 and 2015, among a probability sample selected from an online research panel. Descriptive, logistic regression, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted. In 2014/2015, prevalence of ever and past 30-day hookah smoking among U.S. adults were 15.8% (95% C.I.: 15.0%, 16.7%) and 1.5% (95% C.I.: 1.2%, 1.8%), respectively. Adults who used other alternative tobacco products had a higher odds of hookah smoking than those who did not. Adults with some college education (AOR, 1.53) and with a college degree or more (AOR, 2.21), those identified as non-Hispanic other (AOR, 1.38) were more likely to be ever hookah smokers. Being a young adult (AOR, 2.7), college-educated (AOR, 2.3), never smoker (AOR, 2.1), and an ever hookah smoker (AOR, 2.8) were associated with lower perceptions of harm. Findings suggest that young college students are at higher risk of smoking hookah and that hookah smoking is more prevalent among individuals who use other tobacco products, such as little cigars and cigarillos, traditional cigars, and e-cigarettes, indicating a distinct group of users of alternative tobacco products. Regarding potential harm of hookah, the study highlights a knowledge gap and misperception especially among young, college-educated, and never smokers. Public health interventions should target these subpopulations to provide them with accurate information on hookah smoking.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Smokeless Tobacco Use, 2014-2016.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether the prevalence of current use of smokeless tobacco products (STPs) changed during 2014-2016 and examine factors associated with use among adults in the United States (US). METHODS: Data were obtained from Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Surveys of probability samples representative of US adults in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Change over time in current (past 30 day) STP use was examined using pairwise comparisons of proportions and multivariable logistic regression. Associated factors were examined using Rao-Scott χ2 and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of current STP use was higher in 2015 (3.6%) than in 2014 (2.3%, p < .001) and 2016 (2.7%, p = .018) among US adults. In 2016, current STP use was associated with being male, under age 60, currently using hookah or e-cigarettes, and having less than a college degree. Rates of use did not vary by cigarette smoking status, race/ethnicity, income, or metropolitan statistical area (MSA). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of current STP use peaked in 2015. In 2016, current STP use was more prevalent among males and adults with lower education. Continuous monitoring of STP use is needed, particularly non-cigarette tobacco product users.

Changing Perceptions of Harm of E-Cigarettes Among U.S. Adults, 2012-2015.

INTRODUCTION: Although the impact of long-term use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on health is still unknown, current scientific evidence indicates that e-cigarettes are less harmful than combustible cigarettes. The study examined whether perceived relative harm of e-cigarettes and perceived addictiveness have changed during 2012-2015 among U.S. adults. METHODS: Data were from Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions surveys of probability samples representative of U.S. adults in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Changes over time in perceived harmfulness of e-cigarettes were examined using pairwise comparisons of proportions and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Analyses were conducted in January 2016. RESULTS: Whereas 11.5% and 1.3% of adults perceived e-cigarettes to have about the same level of harm and to be more harmful than cigarettes, respectively, in 2012, 35.7% and 4.1% did so in 2015. The proportion of adults who thought e-cigarettes were addictive more than doubled during 2012-2015 (32.0% in 2012 vs 67.6% in 2015). Compared with 2012, the odds of perceiving e-cigarettes to be equally or more harmful (than to be less harmful) doubled (95% CI=1.64, 2.41) in 2014, and tripled (95% CI=2.60, 3.81) in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: There is an increase in the proportion of U.S. adults who misperceive the harm of e-cigarettes and consider them to be as harmful as combustible cigarettes. The study highlights the need to design public health messages that accurately interpret the scientific data on the potential harm of e-cigarettes and clearly differentiate the absolute from the relative harm of e-cigarettes.