Distal and Proximal Minority Stressors on Patterns of Tobacco and Cannabis Use Among Young Bisexual Women.

BACKGROUND: Bisexual women have high rates of tobacco and cannabis use, but few studies have examined co-use behavior in this population. Although the role of distal minority stressors (eg, discrimination) on substance use has been examined, fewer studies have examined proximal minority stressors (eg, negative sexual identity self-schemas). The current study was a secondary data analysis that examined patterns of tobacco and cannabis use, and the role of distal (instability of bisexuality, sexual irresponsibility of bisexual people, and hostility toward bisexual people) and proximal (illegitimacy of bisexuality, anticipated binegativity, internalized binegativity, and identity affirmation) bisexual-specific minority stressors among bisexual women. METHODS: Participants were 224 young (aged 18-30 years old) self-identified bisexual women who reported on their past 30-day tobacco and cannabis use and completed measures of distal and proximal bisexual-specific minority stressors. Participants were categorized into one of 4 patterns: no use, tobacco use only, cannabis use only, and tobacco and cannabis co-use. RESULTS: The most common pattern of past 30-day use was tobacco and cannabis co-use (39.1%). Results from a multinomial logistic regression revealed that bisexual women who reported higher illegitimacy of bisexuality, a proximal minority stressor, were significantly more likely to engage in tobacco and cannabis co-use, relative to no use. DISCUSSION: Bisexual women have particularly high rates of substance use, with tobacco and cannabis co-use as the most common pattern. Incorporating the role of proximal minority stressors, and specifically, beliefs about the legitimacy of bisexuality, may be an important target of substance use interventions for bisexual women.

Cigarette smoking behaviors and nicotine dependence at the intersection of sexual identity and sex in the United States: Findings from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking is disproportionately high among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults. Yet, collapsing these identities into a monolith can disguise important within group disparities (e.g., lesbian/gay versus bisexual female). The purpose of this study is to report recent national prevalence estimates and trends of cigarette smoking behaviors and nicotine dependence by sexual identity and sex. METHODS: Data were from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (n = 210,392; adults 18+), a nationally representative, repeated cross-sectional study of substance use and mental health in the U.S. We examined bivariate and multivariable associations between sexual identity and cigarette smoking measures (i.e., former smoking, lifetime smoking, current smoking, current daily smoking, nicotine dependence) by sex. We also examined linear time trends in current and former smoking. Covariates included age, race/ethnicity, education, annual household income, and survey year. RESULTS: Bisexual women had the highest unadjusted prevalence of current smoking (31 %) and lowest of former smoking (25 %). LGB females and males had higher adjusted prevalence of current smoking, daily smoking, and nicotine dependence than heterosexual adults. Bisexual females and gay and bisexual males had lower adjusted prevalence of former smoking (adjusted prevalence ratio range: 0.78-0.85) than heterosexual counterparts. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to identify disproportionately low prevalence of former smoking among bisexual females. Paired with findings of high prevalence of current cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence, these data suggest that tobacco control interventions targeted toward bisexual females are urgently needed to reduce the burden of cigarette smoking among these individuals.

Parameters of EMA Compliance and Self-Reported Reactivity in a Longitudinal Study of Young Adult Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Users.

Background: Co-use of cannabis and tobacco has become increasingly popular among young adults. Interactive voice response (IVR) based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) allows for measurement of behavior in or near real-time, but has limitations including non-compliance, missing data, and potential for reactivity (e.g., behavior change) from frequent assessments. Methods: This study examined tobacco and cannabis use characteristics and factors associated with IVR compliance and self-reported reactivity in 97 young adults who reported cannabis and tobacco co-use at baseline and completed daily IVR surveys of co-use behavior at three random times per day for 28 days. Results: Overall IVR compliance was 55%, with a modal compliance of 60%. Compliance rates did not differ across morning, midday, and evening surveys, but significantly declined over time. The sample was divided into high frequency responders (>70% calls completed, n=35) and low frequency responders (<70%, calls completed n=62). There were no differences between high and low frequency responders on any baseline demographic, tobacco use (nicotine dependence severity), alcohol, or cannabis use characteristics (past 30-day frequency of use). Participants were receptive to IVR-based EMA monitoring and, 16.5% reported purposely decreasing nicotine/tobacco use due to monitoring, while 19.6% reported purposely decreasing cannabis use, which predicted lower cannabis use post-EMA monitoring. Conclusions: Real-time assessment of co-use behavior among young adults does not appear to be impacted by specific demographics or substance use severity (nicotine dependence, heavy drinking). Data suggest some predictive utility of IVR-based EMA monitoring on short-term behavior change. More intensive approaches are needed to improve compliance among young adult cannabis and tobacco co-users.

Single-use, co-use, and polysubstance use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis in sexual minority and heterosexual females.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use are more prevalent in sexual minority females than heterosexual females, and their use is associated with adverse consequences. Identifying disparities in substance use patterns by sexual identity may inform interventions targeting this vulnerable group. This study examined differences between heterosexual and sexual minority females on patterns of past 30-day tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use. METHODS: N = 3020 females (18.8% sexual minority) completed an online survey (September 2020-October 2021) that queried about past 30-day tobacco/nicotine (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, large cigar/LCCs, and other products), alcohol, and cannabis use. Participants were classified into one of eight patterns: no use, tobacco/nicotine-only, alcohol-only, cannabis-only, alcohol and tobacco/nicotine, tobacco/nicotine and cannabis, alcohol and cannabis, and polysubstance use. A multinomial logistic regression model examined the association between sexual identity and each substance use group, controlling for demographics. RESULTS: Across both groups, no substance use was the most common pattern. Polysubstance use was the most common substance use pattern among sexual minority females. In adjusted regression models, sexual minority females were more likely to report cannabis-only (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.58), tobacco/nicotine and cannabis co-use (AOR = 1.74), alcohol and cannabis co-use (AOR = 2.50), and polysubstance use (AOR = 2.60), compared to heterosexual females. [Correction added on 23 November 2022, after first online publication: In the preceding paragraph, the AOR and CI values were corrected.] DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Substance use patterns that involve cannabis are more common among sexual minority females. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study extends prior research by using a large sample of females to examine differences based on sexual identity in patterns of tobacco/nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis use beyond single substance use and considers co-use and polysubstance use.

Impact of a reduced nicotine standard on young adult appeal for menthol and non-menthol cigarettes.

INTRODUCTION: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intention to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes as a strategy to promote cessation and reduce smoking-related harm. A low nicotine product standard will apply to all cigarettes on the market, including menthol cigarettes. In December 2021, the FDA approved a modified risk tobacco product application for menthol and non-menthol flavoured very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNC) from the 22nd Century Group. Notably, experimentation with menthol cigarettes is linked to smoking progression, as well as greater nicotine dependence relative to non-menthol cigarette use. If menthol VLNCs are perceived as more appealing than non-menthol VLNCs, this would indicate that some aspect of menthol may maintain smoking even in the absence of nicotine and FDA's regulatory authority to ban or restrict the sale of menthol cigarettes should apply to reduced nicotine content of cigarettes. In April 2022, the FDA announced proposed rulemaking to prohibit menthol cigarettes, however it is unclear if a menthol prohibition would apply to VLNCs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study will recruit 172 young adult menthol smokers (with a specific subsample of n=40 sexual and gender minority young adults) and measure appeal for smoking experimental menthol and non-menthol VLNCs, and the impact of proposed product standards on tobacco product purchasing behaviour using an Experimental Tobacco Marketplace. Appeal across product standards will be assessed in a controlled laboratory and using ecological momentary assessment. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol was approved by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Institutional Review Board (#11865). Findings will examine the effects of a reduced nicotine standard and a menthol ban on young adult smoking and will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles and presentations at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04340947.

Discrimination, Substance Use, and Mental Health among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults Accessing Day Shelter Services.

BACKGROUND: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults are overrepresented in the population of individuals experiencing homelessness, and high rates of substance use are common in this group. Plausibly, poor mental health and discrimination may contribute to substance use among SGM adults experiencing homelessness. This study described participant characteristics, and the interrelations among sociodemographic variables, substance use, mental health, and discrimination experiences among 87 SGM adults seeking services at a day shelter in Oklahoma City, OK. Discrimination experiences were characterized by race (White vs. non-White), sex (female vs. male), sexual identity (heterosexual vs. sexual minority), and gender identity (gender conforming vs. gender minority). METHODS: Participants reported their past 30-day tobacco (cigarette/cigarillos, alternative tobacco products [ATP]), alcohol, and marijuana use, as well as everyday and lifetime major discrimination experiences, substance use problems, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Independent samples t-tests examined differences in discrimination based on substance use and mental health. RESULTS: Participants had high rates of tobacco and marijuana use, substance use problems, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Over 80% reported experiencing everyday or lifetime major discrimination. Depression and PTSD were associated with ATP use, and anxiety was associated with alcohol use. All mental health variables were associated with substance use problems and everyday discrimination. Depression was associated with lifetime major discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: SGM adults accessing shelter services frequently experienced discrimination and poor mental health, and substance use was common. Future research should examine the causal impact of discrimination on mental health and substance use among SGM adults experiencing homelessness.

Measuring young adult appeal for menthol and non-menthol cigarettes: protocol of a clinical trial using both laboratory and intensive longitudinal methods (PRISM).

INTRODUCTION: Although the Food and Drug Administration banned other characterising flavours in cigarettes, menthol cigarettes are still available to consumers. Young adult new smokers are initiating with menthol cigarettes, such that the prevalence of young adults menthol versus non-menthol smokers is increasing. Experimentation with menthol cigarettes is associated with progression to regular smoking and nicotine dependence. This ongoing clinical trial in young adult smokers measures appeal and the reinforcing value of smoking menthol versus non-menthol cigarettes and the impact of these variables on changes in smoking behaviour at a 6-month follow-up. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Reinforcement for menthol smoking is assessed in the laboratory using a validated behavioural economic choice task, and appeal is measured in the natural environment using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Analyses will examine differences between menthol and non-menthol cigarette smoking on measures of subjective response in the laboratory and via EMA, and how subjective response mediates the association between menthol preference at baseline and smoking outcomes at follow-up. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol was approved by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Institutional Review Board (#10581). The findings will isolate the unique effects of menthol in smoking and will help inform regulatory decisions about the abuse liability of menthol cigarettes. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles and presentations at national and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03953508.

Characteristics of adults with a medical cannabis license, reasons for use, and perceptions of benefit following medical cannabis legalization in Oklahoma.

Little is known about the risks and benefits associated with medical cannabis legalization. The current study was an online panel survey of adult Oklahomans recruited between September and October 2020 (N = 1898). Respondents with and without a medical cannabis license were compared on sociodemographic, substance use and health characteristics, and sub-analyses focused on the characteristics of licensed and unlicensed past 30-day cannabis users. Among all participants, 19.34% (n = 367) reported that they had a medical cannabis license, and 35.73% (n = 676) reported past 30-day cannabis use. Licensees were more likely to be younger (i.e., 18-35 years of age; p = 0.001), identify as a sexual minority (p < 0.001), and report past 30-day cannabis, cigarette, alcohol, and prescription opiate use (all p's ≤ 0.003). Licensed participants most commonly reported medically-recommended cannabis use for anxiety (42.51%), depression (33.24%), sleep problems (26.98%), chronic pain (24.25%), and arthritis (12.81%). The likelihood of medically-recommended cannabis use for anxiety, depression, and chronic pain differed by age group (all p's ≤ 0.028). Licensees were most likely to perceive that cannabis delivered "very much/extreme" relief from anxiety (78.57%), sleep problems (76.30%), nausea/vomiting (70.00%), and depression (67.05%). Compared to licensed past 30-day cannabis users (n = 308), unlicensed users (n = 368) were more likely to be non-White, to have ≤ high school education, to report an annual household income <$30,000, and to report current smoking (all p's ≤ 0.027). Findings provide initial information about the personal characteristics associated with having a medical cannabis license in Oklahoma, the reasons for medical cannabis use, and the perceived medical benefits.

Differences between adult sexual minority females and heterosexual females on menthol smoking and other smoking behaviors: Findings from Wave 4 (2016-2018) of the population assessment of tobacco and health study.

BACKGROUND: Sexual minority females have higher rates of cigarette smoking than heterosexual females. Additionally, menthol cigarette use disproportionately impacts minority smokers, including sexual minority individuals. This study examined differences between sexual minority and heterosexual females on several smoking variables, including initiation with a menthol cigarette, and past 30-day cigarette and menthol cigarette use. METHODS: Participants were female ever smokers (N = 11,576; n = 1,474, 12.7% sexual minority) who completed Wave 4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Survey. Participants reported on the age they began smoking regularly (≤18 years old, 18-24, >25), whether they initiated with a menthol cigarette, past 30-day cigarette smoking and menthol cigarette use, cigarettes smoked per day (≤10, 11-20, >20), cigarette dependence (smoke ≤ 5 min of waking or > 5 min of waking), and whether they were a current (someday/every day) or former (no past year/current use) established smoker (≥100 lifetime cigarettes), or an experimental smoker (<100 lifetime cigarettes). Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression analyses examined differences between sexual minority females and heterosexual females on smoking variables. RESULTS: Sexual minority female smokers began smoking regularly at an earlier age and smoked fewer cigarettes per day than heterosexual females. Sexual minority females were more likely to initiate smoking with a menthol cigarette (aOR = 1.27), report past 30-day smoking (aOR = 1.36) and menthol cigarette use (aOR = 1.24) compared to heterosexual females. There were no differences on cigarette dependence. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high rates of initiation and current menthol smoking, policies to regulate menthol may decrease smoking disparities for sexual minority females.

Mobile contingency management for smoking cessation among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults: Protocol for a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Smoking rates remain high among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults. Offering small escalating financial incentives for abstinence (i.e., contingency management [CM]), alongside clinic-based treatment dramatically increases cessation rates in this vulnerable population. However, innovative approaches are needed for those who are less able to attend office visits. The current study will evaluate an automated mobile phone-based CM approach that will allow socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals to remotely earn financial incentives for smoking cessation. METHODS: The investigators have previously combined technologies, including 1) carbon monoxide monitors that connect with mobile phones to remotely verify abstinence, 2) facial recognition software to confirm identity during breath sample submissions, and 3) automated delivery of incentives triggered by biochemical abstinence confirmation. This automated CM approach will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial of 532 low-income adults seeking cessation treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to telephone counseling and nicotine replacement therapy (standard care [SC]) or SC plus mobile financial incentives (CM) for abstinence. RESULTS: Biochemically-verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 26 weeks post-quit is the primary outcome. The cost-effectiveness of the interventions will be evaluated. Potential treatment mechanisms, including self-efficacy, motivation, and treatment engagement, will be explored to optimize future interventions. DISCUSSION: Automated mobile CM may offer a low-cost approach to smoking cessation that can be combined with telephone counseling and pharmacological interventions. This approach represents a critical step toward the widespread dissemination of CM treatment to real-world settings, to reduce tobacco-related disease and disparities.

The relations between discrimination, stressful life events, and substance use among adults experiencing homelessness.

The current study investigated whether stressful life events and everyday discrimination experiences were associated with using one or more substances in the past 30-days and substance use disorder (SUD) among adults experiencing homelessness. We obtained survey data from adults (N = 501) seeking services at a day shelter. Participants self-reported whether they used cigarettes, other tobacco products, cannabis, alcohol, opioids, amphetamine, and cocaine/crack in the past 30-days, and the total number of substances used were also calculated. We measured stressful life events and everyday discrimination using validated scales. We used multivariable logistic and negative binomial regression analyses to evaluate hypothesised associations. Results indicated that reporting a higher number of stressful life events was associated with past 30-days cannabis, tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use, screening positive for a SUD, and using a greater number of substances in the past 30 days. After accounting for stressful life events, everyday discrimination was associated with only past 30-days cannabis use. Overall, we found that reporting stressful life events was related to current substance use and screening positive for a SUD. Findings suggest that life stressors, and discrimination to a lesser extent, were associated with substance use and SUD among adults experiencing homelessness.

Tobacco use characteristics, treatment preferences, and motivation to quit among adults accessing a day shelter in Oklahoma City.

Background: Smoking rates are exceptionally high among adults experiencing homelessness (AEH). Research is needed to inform treatment approaches in this population. Methods: Participants (n=404) were adults who accessed an urban day shelter and reported current smoking. Participants completed surveys regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco and substance use, mental health, motivation to quit smoking (MTQS), and smoking cessation treatment preferences. Participant characteristics were described and compared by MTQS. Results: Participants who reported current smoking (N=404) were primarily male (74.8%); White (41.4%), Black (27.8%), or American Indian/Alaska Native (14.1%) race; and 10.7% Hispanic. Participants reported a mean age of 45.6 (SD=11.2) years, and they smoked an average of 12.6 (SD=9.4) cigarettes per day. Most participants reported moderate or high MTQS (57%) and were interested in receiving free cessation treatment (51%). Participants most frequently selected the following options as among the top 3 treatments that offered the best chance of quitting: Nicotine replacement therapy (25%), money/gift cards for quitting (17%), prescription medications (17%), and switching to e-cigarettes (16%). Craving (55%), stress/mood (40%), habit (39%), and being around other smokers (36%) were frequently identified as the most challenging aspects of quitting. Low MTQS was associated with White race, lack of religious participation, lack of health insurance, lower income, greater cigarettes smoked per day, and higher expired carbon monoxide. Higher MTQS was associated with sleeping unsheltered, cell phone ownership, higher health literacy, more years of smoking, and interest in free treatment. Discussion: Multi-level, multi-component interventions are needed to address tobacco disparities among AEH.

Affirming the Abuse Liability and Addiction Potential of Menthol: Differences in Subjective Appeal to Smoking Menthol Versus Non-Menthol Cigarettes Across African American and White Young Adult Smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Menthol cigarettes are popular among young adults and are disproportionately used by African American smokers. Menthol's minty and cooling sensations have been hypothesized to enhance the appeal and reinforcement of smoking; however, differences in menthol's subjective appeal across races have been inconsistent. This secondary data analysis examined differences in subjective appeal for smoking menthol versus non-menthol cigarettes between African American and White young adult smokers. METHODS: Young adults (ages 18-24) recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk (December 2018-January 2019) completed an online survey of tobacco use behavior. Past year smokers (n = 1726) answered questions about subjective responses to smoking (reward, satisfaction, throat hit, craving reduction, and aversion). RESULTS: Significantly more African American (73.2%) compared to White (52.4%) smokers preferred menthol cigarettes (p < .001). Menthol smokers reported greater positive and negative subjective responses to smoking than non-menthol smokers. Positive and negative subjective response were both associated with greater smoking intensity and lower cigarette harm perceptions. Interactions of menthol preference and race on indices of subjective appeal also emerged. African American non-menthol smokers reported lower levels of satisfaction, reward, and craving reduction compared to White non-menthol smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between menthol preference and subjective response to smoking differs by race. Menthol is rated as more appealing than non-menthol smoking, and appeal indices were linked to smoking intensity and lower harm perceptions, indicating greater abuse liability of menthol cigarettes. Policies that ban menthol cigarettes may have a particularly positive impact on the cigarette smoking of African American young adult smokers. IMPLICATIONS: The FDA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making to examine the role menthol in tobacco products to inform regulations to restrict or ban flavors. This study showed that menthol smokers reported greater appeal to smoking than non-menthol smokers; and an interaction of race x menthol preference showed African American non-menthol smokers reported the lowest levels of appeal to smoking. Multiple indices of cigarette appeal were positively correlated with smoking intensity and lower cigarette harm perceptions, highlighting the addiction potential of menthol cigarettes. Findings suggest a menthol cigarette ban could help reduce tobacco use among young adults.

Correlates of e-cigarette use among adults initiating smoking cessation treatment.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the correlates of e-cigarette (EC) use among adults seeking smoking cessation treatment, and it is unclear how EC use affects smoking treatment outcomes. METHODS: Participants were 649 adult smokers enrolled in smoking cessation treatment. Participants completed a baseline (pre-quit) assessment with follow-up at 4-, 12-, and 26-weeks after a scheduled combustible cigarette (CC) cessation date. EC use was described before and after the CC cessation date, and the impact of baseline EC use on CC cessation at follow-up was evaluated. RESULTS: At baseline, 66.6 % of participants had ever-used ECs and 23.1 % reported past 30-day EC use. Past 30-day EC users were younger, more socioeconomically disadvantaged, more CC dependent, and less likely to report Black race compared to non-users. At the 4-, 12-, and 26-week follow-ups, 6.4 %, 7.4 %, and 8.1 % reported dual EC/CC use; and 2.7 %, 3.4 %, and 2.7 % had switched to exclusive EC use. Past 30-day EC use at baseline was not associated with CC cessation at any follow-up. However, among baseline past 30-day EC users (n = 150), using ECs ≥ once per week was associated with a lower likelihood of CC cessation at 26-week follow-up (adjusted OR 0.346, 95 % CI: 0.120, 0.997). CONCLUSION: Findings indicated that dual users of CCs and ECs at baseline differed from CC-only users on sociodemographic and smoking characteristics. Baseline EC use did not impact smoking cessation overall. However, among past 30-day users, more frequent EC use at baseline adversely impacted longer-term cessation outcomes, perhaps due to greater baseline CC/nicotine dependence.

Utilization, receptivity and reactivity to Interactive Voice Response daily monitoring in risky drinking smokers who are motivated to quit.

INTRODUCTION: Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology has become an increasingly popular and valid method for collecting Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) data on a variety of health-risk behaviors, including daily alcohol use and cigarette smoking, and for stimulating behavior change. However, very little research has evaluated the parameters of IVR compliance and reactivity in respondents who may have greater problem severity than samples previously examined in published IVR studies. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of use, receptivity and reactivity to IVR monitoring in 77 untreated risky drinking smokers who were motivated to quit within the next 6 months. METHODS: Respondents completed twice daily IVR assessments for 28 days and were re-assessed immediately after IVR to measure receptivity and reactivity to daily monitoring and six months post-baseline. RESULTS: Mean compliance rate was 70.6%, with a morning rate of 72.4% and an evening compliance rate of 68.9% out of all possible surveys. IVR assessments of drinking and smoking were significantly associated with baseline paper-pencil reports of the same. African-American participants and those who reported more daily stressful events were more compliant. Between the baseline session and the 6-month follow-up, 68% of the sample reported engaging in some form of smoking behavior change (50% reduction in CPD, a quit attempt, past-month continuous abstinence). Nearly 80% reported increased awareness of their behavior due to the IVR and 40% reported intentional behavior change from IVR monitoring. The odds of making a quit attempt at the 6-month follow-up were significantly higher among respondents who reported making purposeful changes to their smoking as a result of IVR monitoring (AOR=3.25, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Reactivity was associated with behavior change outcomes. IVR may be a useful tool for motivating behavior change in smokers with alcohol-use problems.

Feasibility of biochemical verification in a web-based smoking cessation study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cogent arguments have been made against the need for biochemical verification in population-based studies with low-demand characteristics. Despite this fact, studies involving digital interventions (low-demand) are often required in peer review to report biochemically verified abstinence. To address this discrepancy, we examined the feasibility and costs of biochemical verification in a web-based study conducted with a national sample. METHODS: Participants were 600U.S. adult current smokers who registered on a web-based smoking cessation program and completed surveys at baseline and 3months. Saliva sampling kits were sent to participants who reported 7-day abstinence at 3months, and analyzed for cotinine. RESULTS: The response rate at 3-months was 41.2% (n=247): 93 participants reported 7-day abstinence (38%) and were mailed a saliva kit (71% returned). The discordance rate was 36.4%. Participants with discordant responses were more likely to report 3-month use of nicotine replacement therapy or e-cigarettes than those with concordant responses (79.2% vs. 45.2%, p=0.007). The total cost of saliva sampling was $8280 ($125/sample). CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical verification was both time- and cost-intensive, and yielded a relatively small number of samples due to low response rates and use of other nicotine products during the follow-up period. There was a high rate of discordance of self-reported abstinence and saliva testing. Costs for data collection may be prohibitive for studies with large sample sizes or limited budgets. Our findings echo previous statements that biochemical verification is not necessary in population-based studies, and add evidence specific to technology-based studies.

Hookah tobacco smoking in a large urban sample of adult cigarette smokers: Links with alcohol and poly-tobacco use.

Hookah tobacco smoking (HTS) has been increasing, particularly among young adults and has similar health effects compared to cigarette smoking. The link between HTS and poly-tobacco use is well documented, but fewer show an association between HTS and alcohol use. It is essential to identify factors that increase the risk for or addictiveness and consequences of HTS, given its growing prevalence. This study examined whether the association between HTS and poly-tobacco use differed as a function of age and alcohol consumption within in a sample of 1223 adult cigarette smokers. Approximately 20% of participants reported HTS. Compared to non-users, hookah users were more likely to be male, highly educated, and to report drug and alcohol use, binge drinking, and poly-tobacco use but were less likely to be heavy smokers (≥10 cigarettes per day). Regression analyses predicting number of tobacco products used (excluding cigarettes and HTS) indicated a three-way interaction of HTS, frequency of alcohol use, and age such that the association between HTS and number of tobacco products used was strongest for younger respondents who consumed alcohol more frequently. As observed in previous studies, alcohol is an important risk factor in the relationship between HTS and poly-tobacco use, particularly among younger cigarette smokers. The links between alcohol, HTS, and poly-tobacco use should be considered when developing HTS education and prevention materials directed toward younger cigarette smokers. Findings provide information relevant to FDA's interest in the addiction potential of HTS and its link to poly-tobacco use.

Was it the drink? The conditioned association of alcohol and desire to quit smoking on the dual use of little cigars/cigarillos and cigarettes among men and women.

INTRODUCTION: Dual use of little cigars/cigarillos (LCCs) with cigarettes is becoming more popular; especially among men, but infrequently studied. Dual tobacco users show a higher prevalence of health-risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol use, are likely exposed to higher levels of nicotine and tobacco-related toxicants, and have greater difficulty quitting and maintaining abstinence. This study examined the effects of alcohol use, and desire to quit smoking on dual use of LCCs and cigarettes among men and women. METHODS: Data utilized responses from a screening survey of 571 adult smokers. Basic demographic information, current cigarette use, desire to quit smoking, frequency of current LCC use, and alcohol and drug use were collected. RESULTS: Dual users were more likely to be male and younger, report drug use in the past 90-days, and have a lower desire to quit smoking. Regression analyses showed a 3-way interaction of gender, alcohol use frequency, and desire to quit smoking, such that men who drank alcohol more frequently who had a higher desire to quit smoking used LCCs more frequently than men with a lower desire to quit. DISCUSSION: Alcohol use may be a risk factor for men's dual use of LCCs and cigarettes among those who want to quit smoking. Implications for prevention and treatment are discussed.