Factors associated with changes in flavored tobacco products used: Findings from wave 2 and wave 3 (2014-2016) of the population assessment of tobacco and health (PATH) study.

INTRODUCTION: Flavored non-cigarette tobacco product use is widespread in the U.S. The availability of flavor options could be playing a role in recent increases in use, especially for non-cigarette tobacco products, among youth and young adults. Little is known about specific flavor preferences of youth and adult flavored tobacco product users, as well as how preferences may change over time. METHODS: This study analyzes PATH Study data from completed Wave 2 (2014-2015) and Wave 3 (2015-2016) youth (12-17 years), and adult (18 + years) interviews to estimate the prevalence of flavored non-cigarette tobacco product use. We assess flavor switching by examining changes between flavors and characteristics of those who changed flavors between waves. RESULTS: Across age groups, and at both waves, fruit-flavored products were the most frequently used flavor by past 30-day electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), cigar, cigarillo, and hookah users. In the past 30 days, a higher proportion of youth and young adults used candy/sweets-flavored ENDS than adults. Among adult ENDS users, the odds of changing flavors were highest among younger users and decreased with increasing age. CONCLUSIONS: Flavored tobacco product use is prevalent across non-cigarette tobacco products. Stability in the number of flavors used, as well as specific flavors, is higher among adult tobacco users, while the use of multiple flavors, and change in specific flavor, is more prevalent among youth tobacco users. Additional longitudinal research can further examine the role flavors play in appeal, product trial, and switching.

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

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

Exposure to Nicotine and Toxicants Among Dual Users of Tobacco Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, 2013-2014.

INTRODUCTION: Concurrent use of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes ("dual use") is common among tobacco users. Little is known about differences in demographics and toxicant exposure among subsets of dual users. AIMS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from adult dual users (current every/some day users of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes, n = 792) included in the PATH Study Wave 1 (2013-2014) and provided urine samples. Samples were analyzed for biomarkers of exposure to nicotine and selected toxicants (tobacco-specific nitrosamine NNK [NNAL], lead, cadmium, naphthalene [2-naphthol], pyrene [1-hydroxypyrene], acrylonitrile [CYMA], acrolein [CEMA], and acrylamide [AAMA]). Subsets of dual users were compared on demographic, behavioral, and biomarker measures to exclusive cigarette smokers (n = 2411) and exclusive e-cigarette users (n = 247). RESULTS: Most dual users were predominant cigarette smokers (70%), followed by daily dual users (13%), non-daily concurrent dual users (10%), and predominant vapers (7%). Dual users who smoked daily showed significantly higher biomarker concentrations compared with those who did not smoke daily. Patterns of e-cigarette use had little effect on toxicant exposure. Dual users with high toxicant exposure were generally older, female, and smoked more cigarettes per day. Dual users who had low levels of biomarkers of exposure were generally younger, male, and smoked non-daily. CONCLUSIONS: In 2013-2014, most dual users smoked cigarettes daily and used e-cigarettes occasionally. Cigarette smoking appears to be the primary driver of toxicant exposure among dual users, with little-to-no effect of e-cigarette use on biomarker levels. Results reinforce the need for dual users to stop smoking tobacco cigarettes to reduce toxicant exposure. IMPLICATIONS: With considerable dual use of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes in the United States, it is important to understand differences in toxicant exposure among subsets of dual users, and how these differences align with user demographics. Findings suggest most dual users smoke daily and use e-cigarettes intermittently. Low exposure to toxicants was most common among younger users, males, and intermittent smokers; high exposure to toxicants was most common among older users, females, and heavier cigarette smokers. Results underscore the heterogeneity occurring within dual users, and the need to quit smoking cigarettes completely in order to reduce toxicant exposure.

Transitions in frequency of hookah smoking among youth and adults: findings from waves 1 and 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study, 2013-15.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The prevalence of hookah smoking has increased in the United States since at least 2010, especially among youth and young adults. This study assessed self-reported reasons for hookah smoking cessation and transition to or maintenance of high-frequency hookah smoking among current hookah smokers. DESIGN: Separately analyzed data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study, a longitudinal cohort study. Frequency of and reasons for hookah smoking were ascertained at wave 1 (2013-14); frequency of hookah smoking and past-year cessation were ascertained at wave 2 (2014-15). Weighted multivariable logistic and ordinal logistic regression models were fitted to predict hookah smoking cessation and frequency of hookah smoking at wave 2, respectively, accounting for demographic and behavioral risk factors, reasons for hookah smoking and frequency of hookah smoking at wave 1. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 693 youth and 4400 adult past-year hookah smokers. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported tobacco-use patterns and associated health behaviors were measured via audio computer-assisted self-interviews (ACASI). FINDINGS: At wave 1, 5.9% of youth and 7.5% of adults were past-year hookah smokers. Among all age groups, the leading reasons for hookah smoking were enjoyment of socializing while smoking, the availability of appealing flavors and believing that it was less harmful than cigarette smoking. The odds of cessation were lower for adults who liked hookah flavors [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.40; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26-0.62] compared with adults who did not like hookah flavors. The odds of transitioning to, or maintaining, monthly or more frequent hookah smoking at wave 2, compared with cessation or less than monthly smoking, were higher for adults who liked hookah flavors [adjusted proportional odds ratio (aPOR) = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.48-2.99 and enjoyed socializing while smoking hookah (aPOR = 1.82; 95% CI =1.13-2.94) compared with adults who did not like hookah flavors or socializing. CONCLUSION: The availability of appealing flavors, affordability and socialization while smoking hookah in the United States are associated with reduced likelihood of cessation and increased likelihood of high-frequency hookah smoking.

Association of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Use With Cigarette Smoking Progression or Reduction Among Young Adults.

Importance: The prevalence of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use, including e-cigarettes, among US young adults (YAs) has raised questions about how these products may affect future tobacco and nicotine use among YAs. Given this prevalence and that young adulthood is a critical period for the establishment of tobacco and nicotine use, it is important to consider the association between ENDS use and cigarette smoking specifically in this age group. Objective: To examine whether ENDS use frequency or intensity is associated with changes in cigarette smoking among US YA ever smokers during 1 year. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used 3 waves of data (2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016) from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of adults and youth. Unweighted 1:6 propensity score matching was used to match participants on wave 1 risk factors for ENDS use at wave 2. The changes in smoking between wave 2 and wave 3 were assessed using the matched sample. In total, 1096 ENDS-naive, ever cigarette-smoking YAs (18-24 years of age) at wave 1 who participated in wave 2 and wave 3 and who had complete data in the PATH Study were included in the analyses, which were conducted from August 2018 to October 2019. Exposures: Never ENDS use (n = 987), any previous 30-day ENDS use (n = 109), 1 to 5 days of ENDS use in the previous 30 days (n = 75), and 6 or more days ENDS use in the previous 30 days at wave 2 (n = 34). Main Outcomes and Measures: The analytic sample was selected using multiple variables based on peer-reviewed literature supporting associations with ENDS use. The main outcomes-changes in cigarette smoking behavior between wave 2 and wave 3-were defined using 2 measures: (1) change in smoking frequency, defined as the number of smoking days in the previous 30 days at wave 3 vs wave 2, and (2) change in smoking intensity, defined as the number smoking days in the previous 30 days multiplied by the mean number of cigarettes consumed on smoking days at wave 3 vs wave 2. Results: The present cohort analyses included 1096 YA ever smokers who were ENDS naive at wave 1. The majority of the sample were women (609 [55.6%]) and White individuals (698 [63.7%]), and the mean (SD) age was 21.4 (1.9) years. In wave 1, 161 YAs (14.7%) were daily smokers in the previous 30 days. After propensity score matching, no statistically significant associations were observed between any definition of wave 2 ENDS use and changes in either the frequency or intensity of smoking at wave 3. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of US YA ever smokers, ENDS use was not associated with either decreased or increased cigarette smoking during a 1-year period. However, it is possible that the rapidly evolving marketplace of vaping products may lead to different trajectories of YA cigarette and ENDS use in the future.

Biomarkers of Exposure among USA Adult Hookah Users: Results from Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study (2013-2014).

Hookah smoking has become common in the USA, especially among young adults. This study measured biomarkers of exposure to known tobacco product toxicants in a population-based sample of exclusive, established hookah users. Urinary biomarker data from 1753 adults in Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study were used to compare geometric mean concentrations of biomarkers of exposure in exclusive, established past 30-day hookah users to never users of tobacco. Geometric mean ratios were calculated comparing hookah user groups with never users adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, past 30-day marijuana use, secondhand smoke exposure and creatinine. Past 30-day hookah users (n = 98) had 10.6 times the urinary cotinine level of never tobacco users. Compared to never tobacco users, past 30-day hookah users had 2.3 times the level of the carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), a metabolite of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), 1.3 times higher polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) 3-hydroxyfluorene and 1-hydroxypyrene, 1.8 times higher levels of acrylonitrile, 1.3 times higher levels of acrylamide, and 1.2 times higher levels of acrolein exposure. These data indicate that hookah use is a significant source of exposure to nicotine, carcinogens, and respiratory toxicants.

Adult perceptions of the relative harm of tobacco products and subsequent tobacco product use: Longitudinal findings from waves 1 and 2 of the population assessment of tobacco and health (PATH) study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine: (1) How perceptions of harm for seven non-cigarette tobacco products predict subsequent use; (2) How change in use is associated with changes in perceptions of product harm; (3) Whether sociodemographic variables moderate the association between perceptions and use. METHODS: Data are from the adult sample (18+) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative longitudinal cohort survey conducted September 2013-December 2014 (Wave 1 (W1) n = 32,320) and October 2014-October 2015 (Wave 2 (W2) n = 28,362). RESULTS: Wave 1 users and non-users of e-cigarettes, filtered cigars, cigarillos, and pipes, who perceived these products as less harmful had greater odds of using the product at W2. For the other products, there was an interaction between W1 perceived harm and W1 use status in predicting W2 product use. At W2, a smaller percentage of U.S. adults rated e-cigarettes as less harmful than cigarettes compared to W1 (41.2% W1, 29.0% W2). Believing non-cigarette products to be less harmful than cigarettes was more strongly associated with subsequent product use in the oldest age group (55+ years) while weaker effects were observed in the youngest age group (18-24 years). This moderating effect of age was significant for e-cigarettes, hookah, traditional cigars, and cigarillos. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to prevent initiation and promote cessation of these products may benefit from understanding and addressing perceptions of these products.

Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Smoke-Free Spaces by Smokers: Results from the 2014-2015 Population Assessment on Tobacco and Health Study.

Background: Smoke-free air policies exist to protect users and nonusers from exposure to tobacco smoke. Although electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may expose passerby to nicotine and particulate matter, few US states regulate indoor use of ENDS. The purpose of this study was to investigate reported rationales for ENDS use and reported ENDS use in public smoke-free places by dual cigarette/ENDS users. Methods: A population of ENDS/cigarette co-users (n = 2051) was drawn from Wave 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) dataset (2014-2015). Harm reduction beliefs and cessation behavior of co-users were investigated as predictors of ENDS use in public smoke-free places using logistic regression. Results: Fifty-eight percent of dual users reported past 30-day ENDS use in public smoke-free places. Reported use of ENDS to cut down on cigarette smoking (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.86, 3.05), as an alternative to quitting tobacco (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.37, 2.13), or because of belief that ENDS help people to quit cigarettes (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.20, 1.92) were significantly associated with increased odds of ENDS use in smoke-free places. Conclusions: Beliefs that ENDS were useful as cessation tools or posed modified risk to users and nonusers were associated with elevated odds of use ENDS in locations where conventional tobacco is prohibited. Due to limitations in the survey instrument, in-home ENDS use could not be directly assessed in this analysis. However, these self-reported findings suggest that use of ENDS in public places where cigarette use is prohibited is prevalent enough to be of concern for future regulation and enforcement efforts.

Biomarkers of Exposure among Adult Smokeless Tobacco Users in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (Wave 1, 2013-2014).

BACKGROUND: Monitoring population-level toxicant exposures from smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is important for assessing population health risks due to product use. In this study, we assessed tobacco biomarkers of exposure (BOE) among SLT users from the Wave 1 (2013-2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. METHODS: Urinary biospecimens were collected from adults ages 18 and older. Biomarkers of nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), volatile organic compounds (VOC), metals, and inorganic arsenic were analyzed and reported among exclusive current established SLT users in comparison with exclusive current established cigarette smokers, dual SLT and cigarette users, and never tobacco users. RESULTS: In general, SLT users (n = 448) have significantly higher concentrations of BOE to nicotine, TSNAs, and PAHs compared with never tobacco users; significant dose-response relationships between frequency of SLT use and biomarker concentrations were also reported among exclusive SLT daily users. Exclusive SLT daily users have higher geometric mean concentrations of total nicotine equivalent-2 (TNE2) and TSNAs than exclusive cigarette daily smokers. In contrast, geometric mean concentrations of PAHs and VOCs were substantially lower among exclusive SLT daily users than exclusive cigarette daily smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study produced a comprehensive assessment of SLT product use and 52 biomarkers of tobacco exposure. Compared with cigarette smokers, SLT users experience greater concentrations of some tobacco toxicants, including nicotine and TSNAs. IMPACT: Our data add information on the risk assessment of exposure to SLT-related toxicants. High levels of harmful constituents in SLT remain a health concern.

Nicotine and Toxicant Exposure Among Concurrent Users (Co-Users) of Tobacco and Cannabis.

BACKGROUND: Smoking cannabis may potentially increase exposure to numerous toxic chemicals that are commonly associated with tobacco use. There is a paucity of data related to toxicant exposures among concurrent users of tobacco and cannabis (co-users). METHODS: Data are from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Wave 1 Biomarker Restricted-Use Files. Analyses focused on adults who provided urine samples (N = 5859). Urine samples were analyzed for biomarkers of exposure to nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds. Using weighted linear regression, we compared adjusted geometric mean concentrations of 15 biomarkers between user groups of various tobacco product types according to their self-reported past 30-day cannabis use. RESULTS: Past 30-day cannabis use was similar across various types of tobacco product use subgroups (range: 13%-23%) and significantly more common compared to non-tobacco users (1.0%; p < .001). Across all groups of tobacco users, those who co-used cannabis exhibited significantly higher concentrations of the biomarker of exposure to acrylonitrile (CYMA) compared to non-cannabis users (by 39%-464%). Tobacco-cannabis co-users also showed significantly elevated levels of the biomarker of exposure to acrylamide (AAMA) compared to exclusive tobacco users, and significantly higher exposure to many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (including fluorene and pyrene). CONCLUSIONS: Co-users exhibited higher concentrations for biomarkers of exposure to many combustion byproducts, compared to exclusive tobacco users. More robust measurements of cannabis use can address potential confounding in assessments of exposures to tobacco-related constituents, and potential health effects resulting from co-use. IMPLICATIONS: With disproportionately greater rates of cannabis use occurring among tobacco users, it is critical to consider how concurrent cannabis use may influence health-related outcomes among smokers. Our findings suggest potential additive toxicant exposures among co-users of tobacco and cannabis. Lack of consideration and measurement of cannabis use in assessing tobacco-related exposures may confound estimates thought to be attributable to tobacco, particularly for non-specific biomarkers. Assessing tobacco and cannabis use in tandem will allow for more precise measurement of outcomes related to one or both substances, and can provide additional information on potential health effects related to co-use.

Harm perceptions and tobacco use initiation among youth in Wave 1 and 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.

In the US, youth attribute higher levels of harm and addictiveness to cigarettes relative to other tobacco products. Monitoring harm perceptions across a range of tobacco products is important when forecasting risk for experimentation. This study examined data from US youth (N = 10,081) ages 12-17 from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study who completed both Wave 1 (2013-2014) and Wave 2 (2014-2015) interviews. Analyses assessed: (1) trends in perceived harm and addictiveness of products over time, (2) whether perceived harm and addictiveness of a product at Wave 1 predicted trying that product for the first time by Wave 2, and (3) whether trying a product between Waves 1 and 2 predicted a decrease in one's perceived harm and addictiveness of that product. Levels of perceived harmfulness and addictiveness significantly increased between Wave 1 and Wave 2 for all products (χ2 (range): 7.8-109.2; p's ≤ 0.02). Compared to those with "high" perceived harmfulness of a tobacco product at Wave 1, those with "low" and "medium" perceived harmfulness had a significantly increased probability of use of that product at Wave 2. For all products, Wave 1 youth never tobacco users who tried a product (vs. did not) at Wave 2 had a significantly higher probability of being in the "low" category of perceived harmfulness at Wave 2. Among US youth, there is a bidirectional relationship between harm perceptions and product use. Understanding how changes in perceptions translate to changes in tobacco use could inform efforts to prevent tobacco initiation in youth.

Biomarkers of Exposure among U.S. Adult Cigar Smokers: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 1 (2013-2014).

BACKGROUND: Given the diverse cigar market and limited data on biomarker patterns by cigar type, we compared biomarkers of nicotine and tobacco toxicants among cigar smokers and other groups. METHODS: Using Wave 1 urinary biomarker data from 5,604 adults in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, we compared geometric mean concentrations among cigar-only smokers (all cigars and separately for traditional, cigarillo, and filtered cigars), cigarette-only smokers, dual cigar/cigarette smokers, and never users of tobacco. We calculated geometric mean ratios comparing groups with never users adjusting for sex, age, race/ethnicity, education and creatinine. RESULTS: Some day cigar-only smokers had lower biomarker concentrations than every day cigar-only smokers, but higher than never users. Every day cigar-only smokers (n = 61) had lower TNE-2 (cotinine+trans-3'-hydroxycotinine) compared to every day cigarette-only (n = 2217; P < 0.0001) and dual cigar/cigarette smokers (n = 601; P < 0.0001). Several biomarkers, including NNAL (NNK metabolite) and CYMA (metabolite of acrylonitrile), were comparable in these groups. In exploratory analyses, every day filtered cigar-only (n = 7) smokers had higher biomarker concentrations compared with every day traditional cigar-only smokers (n = 12) and cigarillo-only smokers (n = 24). Every day smokers of each cigar type were similar to exclusive cigarette smokers. For some biomarkers, particularly for every day filtered cigar-only smokers, concentrations were higher. CONCLUSIONS: For some biomarkers, every day cigar-only smokers were comparable with every day cigarette-only smokers. Exploratory analyses suggest that biomarkers vary by cigar type with every day filtered cigar-only smokers having the highest concentrations. IMPACT: High exposure to harmful constituents among cigar smokers is a continuing health issue.

Longitudinal e-Cigarette and Cigarette Use Among US Youth in the PATH Study (2013-2015).

BACKGROUND: Evidence is accumulating that youth who try Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS, e-cigarettes) may go on to try cigarettes. This analysis examines the bidirectional patterns of ENDS and cigarette use among US youth over one year and uses propensity score matching (PSM) to examine frequency of ENDS use on changes in cigarette smoking. METHODS: Our analysis included 11 996 participants who had two waves of available data (Wave 1 [W1] 2013-2014; Wave 2 [W2] 2014-2015) drawn from the longitudinal Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Cross-sectional weighted prevalence estimates are reported for cigarettes and ENDS. We used PSM to estimate the likelihood of ENDS use at W1 and to draw matched analytic samples, then used regression (logistic or linear) models to examine the effect of W1 ENDS use on W2 cigarette smoking. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: In weighted analyses, 69.3% of W1 past-30-day cigarette smokers exhibited past-30-day smoking at W2; 42.2% of W1 past-30-day ENDS users were using ENDS at W2. W1 ever use of either product was similarly associated with W2 new use of the other product. Unweighted PSM models indicated W1 cigarette-naïve ENDS use was associated with W2 ever-cigarette smoking (n = 676; adjusted odds ratio = 3.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.95 to 5.45, P < .001); W1 ever-ENDS use did not affect change in cigarette frequency at W2 (n = 1020, beta = 0.31, 95% CI = -0.76 to 1.39, P = .57); 1-5 days ENDS use compared with ever, no past-30-day ENDS use was associated with a statistically significant decrease of W2 smoking days (n = 256, beta = -2.64, 95% CI = -4.96 to -0.32; P = .03); and W1 6+ day ENDS users did not show a decrease in frequency of cigarette smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Ever-ENDS use predicts future cigarette smoking, and frequency of ENDS use has a differential impact on subsequent cigarette smoking uptake or reduction. These results suggest that both cigarettes and ENDS should be targeted in early tobacco prevention efforts with youth.

Air quality and presence of air ventilation systems inside waterpipe cafés in North Carolina.

BACKGROUND: After North Carolina (NC) fire inspectors detected unsafe carbon monoxide (CO) levels inside several waterpipe cafés, the state fire code was amended to include provisions regulating waterpipe cafés, adding a requirement for air ventilation. These regulations apply to new buildings constructed after 1 January 2016, but can be enforced for older buildings where there exists a distinct hazard to life. We measured air quality at a sample of waterpipe cafés before and after the starting date of this regulation and collected information on presence of air ventilation. METHODS: Air quality (CO, fine particulate matter (PM2.5)) monitoring was conducted inside and outside of six waterpipe cafés in NC in September of 2015 (time 1) and September of 2016 (time 2). In addition, questionnaires were administered to managers from each waterpipe café at time 2 to determine the presence of air ventilation systems. RESULTS: Elevated levels of CO and PM2.5 were found inside waterpipe cafés at time 1 (median CO=42 ppm; median PM2.5=379.3 µg/m3) and time 2 (median CO=65 ppm; median PM2.5=484.0 µg/m3), with no significant differences between time periods (p>0.05). Indoor levels were significantly higher than levels outside cafés at both time periods (p<0.05). All waterpipe cafés reported having an air ventilation system that was installed prior to time 1 air monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Unsafe levels of CO and PM2.5 were observed in waterpipe cafés in NC, despite reported use of air ventilation systems. Prohibiting indoor waterpipe smoking may be necessary to ensure clean air for employees and patrons.

Examining the Association between Body Burdens of Harmful Chemicals and Heaviness of Marijuana Smoking.

Marijuana is seeing increased use both globally and domestically. However, the scientific community has not fully reached a consensus about what negative health effects and to what extent marijuana smoking may cause. In this study, we evaluated the associations between the body burdens of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among marijuana smokers and the smoking heaviness. We observed clear, increasing trends of PAH body burdens as marijuana smoking increased. The findings highlight the importance of capturing the heaviness of marijuana smoking in future studies and support the need for well-designed toxicological and epidemiological studies for understanding the health effects of marijuana use in a changing environment.

Examining Hookah as an Introduction to Nicotine Products among College Students.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on what young adults report as their first-ever nicotine product; some evidence suggests that they report hookah as their first product smoked. OBJECTIVES: This study reports on the first nicotine product used among undergraduates who had ever tried tobacco, and explores correlates of hookah as that first product. METHODS: Participants included a convenience sample of undergraduate students (n = 1538) at four universities in upstate New York during fall 2013. Descriptive statistics assessed first nicotine product used and prevalence of current use. Logistic regression was used to examine correlates of hookah as the first nicotine product used. RESULTS: Among the 832 students who reported ever use of any nicotine product, 25.4% reported hookah as their first product smoked; only combustible cigarettes (39.5%) were reported more frequently. Among students who ever smoked cigarettes, most reported cigarettes as their introductory product. Among students who never smoked cigarettes, nearly half reported hookah as their introductory product. Among ever nicotine users, current hookah smoking was common (34.9%), and greater than current e-cigarette (25.9%) and current combustible cigarette (26.4%) use. Never users of cigarettes, females, and non-Hispanic African Americans, had higher adjusted odds of reporting hookah as their introductory product. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have implications for the identification of risk factors for tobacco initiation, the assessment of tobacco use patterns and behaviors, and the tailoring of tobacco prevention initiatives among youth. Our findings suggest that broadening prevention efforts beyond a focus on combustible cigarettes may be warranted.

Simulational fluency reduces feelings of psychological distance.

Why do some events feel "like yesterday" whereas others feel "ages away"? Past research has identified cues that influence people's estimates of distance in units such as how many miles or days away events are from the self. However, what makes events feel psychologically close or distant? We examine the hypothesis that increased simulational fluency, the ease with which people mentally imagine events, makes events feel psychologically close. Simulational fluency was associated with feelings that multiple past and future holidays were psychologically close (Studies 1a and 1b). Writing short, easy-to-generate descriptions of Christmas made it feel psychologically closer and more fluently simulated compared with writing longer, difficult-to-generate descriptions (Study 2). This pattern was not anticipated by readers of the same content who did not directly experience the fluency of writing descriptions. Writing descriptions of Halloween made it feel fluently simulated and psychologically close, even as concrete "how" descriptions reduced construal level compared with abstract "why" descriptions (Study 3). Listening to a fluent audio description of a past Super Bowl, compared with a disfluent audio description, caused the game to feel psychologically closer in both space and time (Study 4). Reading a description of the Super Bowl in easy-to-read font, compared with difficult-to-read font, made the game feel more fluently simulated and psychologically closer (Study 5). These findings have implications for theories of psychological distance and its role in everyday life. (PsycINFO Database Record

Patterns and Trends of Hookah Use among New Jersey Youth: New Jersey Youth Tobacco Survey 2008-2014.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the aim was to document trends of ever, past 30-day, and frequent (use on > 10 days/month) hookah use among New Jersey (NJ) high school students. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the 2008-2014 waves of the NJ Youth Tobacco Survey, a biennial survey of public high school students in grades 9-12 with a mean age of 15 years. Multivariable logistic regressions assessed trends and correlates of hookah use. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the use of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and other tobacco products (including cigars, smokeless tobacco, and bidis). RESULTS: In 2014, past 30-day hookah use (11.8%) was as high as e-cigarette use (12.1%) and higher than other tobacco products. The adjusted odds of ever, past 30-day, and frequent hookah use were significantly higher in 2014 than 2008. Past 30-day hookah use was more common among users of other tobacco products. CONCLUSIONS: Effective strategies have been used in cigarette tobacco control, and cigarette consumption has decreased as a result. Similar strategies should be employed to encompass emerging tobacco products, with necessary modifications to reduce the prevalence of all tobacco use among youth.

Urinary Metabolite Levels of Flame Retardants in Electronic Cigarette Users: A Study Using the Data from NHANES 2013-2014.

Evaluating the safety of e-cigarettes and making informed judgement about developing potential standards require sufficient scientific evidence. Since e-cigarettes are highly engineered products containing plastic, glass and metal parts, and e-liquids are largely different matrices, many toxic compounds which are not typical hazards for the users of combustible tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes), could exist in e-liquids, and consequently, posing potential health risk to e-cigarette users. We combined the measurements of urinary metabolites of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) with questionnaire data collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2013 to 2014, and we compared adjusted geometric means (GM) for each biomarker in e-cigarette users with levels in non-users and users of various tobacco products using multiple regression analyses to adjust for potential confounders. We found diphenyl phosphate (DPhP), bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (BCEP), and dibutyl phosphate (DBUP) were detected in all e-cigarette users. The adjusted GM of BCEP, the metabolite of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), was 81% higher than nonusers (p = 0.0124) and significantly higher than those for both cigarette and cigar users (p < 0.05). The findings in this pilot study suggest that certain OPFRs may present in e-cigarettes as contaminants, and consequently, resulting in higher exposure levels in e-cigarette users compared to nonusers. As we only identified 14 e-cigarette users in the survey, the findings in this study need to be confirmed in future study at a larger scale. A better examination of the types and levels of FRs and their potential contamination sources in e-cigarettes is also needed.

Brief Report: Lead Levels in Selected Electronic Cigarettes from Canada and the United States.

Few published studies have investigated the presence of lead in the e-liquid of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Lead inhalation is associated with increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and other diseases. This study used a novel application of graphite furnace technology to compare the concentration of lead between e-liquids of different packaging and product designs using e-liquids that are or were commercially available in the United States and Canada. Eleven nicotine-free disposable ENDS devices and 12 bottled refill solutions that contained nicotine were purchased from retailers in Canada and the United States between 2015 and 2017. E-liquids extracted from the disposable products and individual containers were analyzed for lead content by graphite furnace using atomic absorption detection. The lead concentration of open-wick ENDS devices ranged from 25.2 ppb to 838.4 ppb, with a standard deviation of 187.4 ppb. None of the bottled e-liquids contained quantifiable levels of lead. This study found that quantifiable levels of lead are present in certain disposable e-cigarette devices, and there is evidence from this study that the design of ENDS devices may contribute to lead exposure. These findings suggest that lead testing should be incorporated into future chemical analyses of ENDS devices.