Abstract
Objectives. To examine responses to hypothetical restrictions on menthol cigarettes among young adult menthol smokers in the United States. Methods. We surveyed Truth Initiative Young Adult Cohort respondents 18 to 34 years of age every 6 months from December 2011 through October 2016. Menthol cigarette smokers (n = 806, n = 1963 observations) indicated their response if menthol cigarettes were unavailable. Weighted analyses accounting for repeated measures were used to estimate the prevalence and correlates of responses and trends over time. Results. Overall, 23.5% of young adult menthol smokers said they would quit if menthol cigarettes were unavailable, with this response largely unchanged between 2011 and 2016. There was a significant increase in the switch to another tobacco product response (from 7.4% to 13.2%; P = .01) associated with current noncigarette use. In adjusted analyses, African Americans, women, those with less than a high school education, and those with any quit intention were more likely to say they would quit smoking. Conclusions. Increased intentions to switch products suggest the acceptability and availability of alternatives to menthol cigarette smokers. Menthol cigarette restrictions benefit vulnerable groups and those interested in quitting, but the availability of menthol in noncigarette products could limit benefits.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1400-1403 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | American Journal of Public Health |
Volume | 109 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was funded by the Truth Initiative. Shyanika W. Rose was supported in part by grant R03CA219731 from the National Cancer Institute. Andrea C. Villanti was supported by award P20GM103644 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 American Public Health Association Inc.. All rights reserved.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health