Measuring disability among U.S. adolescents and young adults: A survey measurement experiment.

Objective: Disability is identified in surveys using various question sets, with little understanding of reliability across these measures, nor how these estimates may vary across age groups, including adolescents and young adults (AYA). The purpose of this study was to assess AYA prevalence of disability using two disability question sets and reliability of these measures. Methods: AYA participants in the Policy and Communication Evaluation (PACE) Vermont Study completed a single-item disability question used in the National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) and Urban Institute's Health Reform Monitoring Survey (HRMS) and a six-item set on functioning (Washington Group-Short Set, WG-SS) from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2021. Prevalence was estimated for any disability and each disability domain in adolescents (ages 12-17) and young adults (ages 18-25) and compared with U.S. national estimates in NHIS and NSDUH. Results: Using the WG-SS, the prevalence of any disability was 17.0 % in PACE Vermont adolescents and 22.0 % in young adults, consistent with the national prevalence of adolescents in NSDUH (17.9 %) but higher than estimates of young adults in NHIS (3.9 %) and NSDUH (12.9 %). The single-item question provided lower estimates of disability (adolescents: 6.9 %; young adults: 18.5 %) than the WG-SS, with low positive agreement between measures. Discussion: The prevalence of disability in AYAs varies depending on measures used. To improve disability surveillance, it may be necessary to validate new disability questions, including among AYAs, to capture a broader range of disability domains.

Associations between e-cigarette marketing exposure and vaping nicotine and cannabis among U.S. adults, 2021.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the influence of e-cigarette marketing on cannabis vaping behaviors. This study examined the associations between e-cigarette marketing exposure and nicotine and cannabis vaping among adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included a U.S. nationally representative sample of adults from the Wave 6 survey of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. We used multinomial logistic regressions to examine the associations between past 30-day e-cigarette marketing exposure and past 30-day vaping behavior (sole- and dual-vaping of nicotine and cannabis) overall and stratified by age. RESULTS: Overall, 52.0 % of respondents reported e-cigarette marketing exposure, and 89.8 %, 5.6 %, 3.2 %, and 1.4 % reported no vaping, sole-nicotine vaping, sole-cannabis vaping, and dual-vaping, respectively. E-cigarette marketing exposure was associated with increased odds of reporting sole-cannabis vaping versus no vaping (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.31; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.57) and dual-vaping versus no vaping (aRR, 1.26; 95 % CI, 1.01-1.57). This association was found among those aged 18-24 and 25-34 years. It was also associated with increased odds of reporting sole-cannabis vaping versus sole-nicotine vaping (aRR, 1.28; 95 % CI, 1.04-1.58). This association was found among those aged 18-24 years. DISCUSSION: E-cigarette marketing exposure was associated with sole-cannabis vaping and dual-vaping, not sole-nicotine vaping among U.S. adults. Such associations were mainly driven by young adults aged 18-24 and 25-34 years. Greater restrictions on tobacco marketing may have reduced the influence of e-cigarette marketing on nicotine vaping, while gaps in marketing restrictions for cannabis may contribute to e-cigarette marketing influence on cannabis vaping.

Widespread Misperceptions Among U.S. Adults About Tobacco Company Engagement in Black and African American Communities.

INTRODUCTION: Menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars (MC/FC) bring profits to U.S. tobacco companies at the cost of Black/African American (B/AA) lives. This exploratory cross-sectional study describes perceptions of tobacco company engagement and activities in B/AA communities related to MC/FC. AIMS AND METHODS: Among 2307 U.S. adults aged 18-45 surveyed in 2022, six items addressed beliefs about tobacco company funding of B/AA community organizations, payment of B/AA lobbyists to oppose public health policies, support of health equity efforts in B/AA communities, and targeted marketing of MC/FC in B/AA communities. Adjusted proportions were calculated for each belief overall and by race and cigarette smoking status. RESULTS: Among all adults, 37% believed that tobacco companies deny the harms of MC/FCs, 20% believed they pay Black lobbyists to oppose health policies, and 12% believed they fund Black community organizations. Compared with non-B/AA adults, a higher proportion of B/AA adults believed that tobacco companies target Black communities with MC/FC marketing (62% vs. 46%). More adult smokers (ie, menthol or non-MC) than nonsmokers thought that tobacco companies support health equity efforts and did not target Black communities with MC/FC marketing nor deny the harms of MC/FCs to B/AA communities. CONCLUSIONS: Few B/AAs and adult smokers believed that tobacco companies used B/AA organizations and lobbyists to oppose MC/FC policies in the B/AA community as well as reject MC/FC's harmfulness. Culturally tailored and community-engaged communication efforts are needed to correct disinformation about MC/FC tobacco companies' engagement and activities in B/AA communities among B/AA and menthol cigarette smokers. IMPLICATIONS: Tobacco companies have a history of predatory marketing that promotes flavored tobacco products to Black/African American (B/AA) individuals and more recently has spread disinformation to dissuade policy support for menthol cigarette/flavored cigar (MC/FC) bans. It is unclear what are the perceptions of tobacco company engagement and activities in B/AA communities related to MC/FC. Our study shows that B/AA adults and current cigarette smokers hold misperceptions about tobacco companies' role in spreading disinformation about MC/FC. This study identified beliefs about the industry's role in funding B/AA organizations and lobbyists who oppose policy, as well as the industry's denial of menthol cigarette and flavored cigar harms as potential messaging targets for communication efforts designed to correct disinformation about MC/FC policies among B/AA and those who currently smoke MC.

Patterns of blunt and cigar use in the United States, 2015-2019.

Background: The use of cigars for blunts (i.e., cannabis rolled in cigar paper) is well-documented; proportions of cigar and blunt use and associated characteristics are less studied. Methods: Pooled data from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were analyzed in 2023. Respondents aged 12+ who reported past 30-day cigar use were categorized into three mutually exclusive use categories: (1) exclusively cigars, (2) exclusively blunts, and (3) both cigars and blunts. We examined associations between cigar-blunt use category and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Among people 12 and older who reported past 30-day cigar use, 48.6% (95% CI=47.6-49.6) reported exclusive cigar use; 44.3% (95% CI=43.3-45.3) reported exclusive blunt use; and 7.2% (95% CI=6.8-7.6) reported cigars and blunts. The prevalence differed by age, with exclusively blunts most prevalent among youth (72.5% [95% CI=70.7-74.3]) and young adults (62.4% [95% CI=61.4-63.5]), and exclusively cigars most prevalent among adults 26+ (61.2% [95% CI=59.8-62.5]). Exclusive blunt users smoked more days in the past month (17.5; 95% CI=16.8-18.2), compared to 13.8 days (95% CI=13.2-14.4) for cigar and blunt users, and 7.7 days (95% CI=7.5-8.0) for exclusive cigar users. There were significant differences in characteristics, with exclusive blunt use more prevalent among female (41.6%; 95% CI=40.3-42.9) and Hispanic (18.2%; 95% CI=17.3-19.2) participants. Conclusions: Exclusive blunt use was the most prevalent pattern of past-30-day cigar use among youth and young adults. Those who use cigars as blunts smoke more cigars per month, suggesting this may be an important group for additional education and policy efforts.

Associations between e-cigarette marketing exposure and vaping nicotine and cannabis among U.S. adults, 2021.

Importance: Vaping has become an increasingly common method for consuming nicotine and cannabis, a trend potentially influenced by e-cigarette marketing. However, little is known about the influence of e-cigarette marketing on cannabis vaping behaviors. Objective: To examine the associations between e-cigarette marketing exposure and nicotine and cannabis vaping behaviors among adults. Design Setting and Participants: This cross-sectional study included a U.S. nationally representative sample of adults (≥18 years) from the Wave 6 survey of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, conducted from March to November 2021. Exposure: Past 30-day e-cigarette marketing exposure (overall and by ten marketing channels). Main Outcomes and Measures: Past 30-day vaping behavior (sole- and dual-vaping of nicotine and cannabis) overall and stratified by age. Results: The study included 30,516 respondents (48.0% male and 63.9% non-Hispanic White). Overall, 52.0% of respondents reported past 30-day e-cigarette marketing exposure, and 89.8%, 5.6%, 3.2%, and 1.4% reported no vaping, sole-nicotine vaping, sole-cannabis vaping, and dual-vaping, respectively. Multinominal logistic regression results show exposure to e-cigarette marketing was associated with increased odds of reporting sole-cannabis vaping versus no vaping (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.57) and dual-vaping versus no vaping (aRR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.01-1.57). Stratification analysis found these associations among those aged 18-24 and 25-34 years but not older adults (≥35 years). Those exposed to e-cigarette marketing also had increased odds of reporting sole-cannabis vaping versus sole-nicotine vaping (aRR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.04-1.58). Stratification analysis found this association only among those aged 18-24 years. E-cigarette marketing exposure via several channels (retail stores, billboards, events, newspapers/magazines) was associated with increased odds of reporting sole-cannabis vaping. Conclusions and Relevance: E-cigarette marketing exposure was only associated with sole-cannabis vaping and dual-vaping, not sole-nicotine vaping among U.S. adults. Such associations were mainly driven by young adults aged 18-24 and 25-35 years and were found for multiple marketing channels. Greater restrictions on tobacco marketing may have reduced the influence of e-cigarette marketing on nicotine vaping, while gaps in such marketing restrictions for cannabis may contribute to continued influence of e-cigarette marketing on cannabis vaping.

Identifying Novel Motivation Phase-Specific Cessation Targets for Youth Experiencing Homelessness in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Of youth experiencing homelessness (YEH; 14-24 years old), 70%+ smoke combustible, commercial tobacco. Though many have tried to quit, most use ineffective methods. Drop-in centers for YEH are opportune places to link YEH to evidence-based treatment. Using the Phase-Based Model (PBM) for Cessation Research, the aim of this study was to identify "Motivation" phase-specific challenges impacting YEH's willingness to make a quit attempt-the goal of this cessation phase. AIMS AND METHODS: Surveys were interview administered with 96 past-week combusted tobacco users accessing drop-in services. Regression models were fit to confirm hypothesized challenges impacting YEH's willingness to quit. RESULTS: Moderate nicotine dependence was noted-a key Motivation phase cessation mechanism targeted-and was associated with population challenges including, but not limited to, replacing food with tobacco, accidental oxygen-deprivation events, and smoking to socialize. While 67.1% of participants made a past-year quit attempt, 45.8% expressed 30-day quit interest. Dimensions of coping with housing were associated with quit attempts and quit interest. Quit attempts were also associated with nicotine dependence, working, and smoking to socialize. Whereas, quit interest was associated with less endorsement of smoking to regulate affect and more endorsement to avoid danger. CONCLUSIONS: Though common challenges targeted in Motivation phase cessation exist among YEH, other challenges may also need to be addressed to promote quitting. IMPLICATIONS: Future research in optimizing evidence-based cessation access for YEH through drop-in centers may consider addressing the challenges of housing, food security, social context, violence, and neurotrauma sequela to bolster YEH willingness to make a quit attempt.

Changes in Tobacco Dependence and Association With Onset and Progression of Use by Product Type From Waves 1 to 3 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined trajectories of tobacco dependence (TD) in relationship to changes in tobacco product use, and explored the effects of product-specific adding, switching, or discontinued use on dependence over time. AIMS AND METHODS: Data were analyzed from the first three waves from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal study of adults and youth in the United States. Data included 9556 wave 1 (2013-2014) adult current established tobacco users aged 18 or older who completed all three interviews and had established use at ≥2 assessments. Mutually exclusive groups included: users of cigarettes only, e-cigarettes only, cigars only, hookah only, any smokeless only, cigarette + e-cigarette dual users, and other multiple product users. A validated 16-item scale assessed TD across product users. RESULTS: People who used e-cigarettes exclusively at wave 1 had small increases in TD through wave 3. Wave 1 multiple product users' TD decreased across waves. TD for all other wave 1 user groups remained about the same. For wave 1 cigarette only smokers, switching to another product was associated with lower levels of TD than smokers whose use stayed the same. Movement to no established use of any tobacco product was consistently associated with lower TD for all product users. CONCLUSIONS: Except for wave 1 e-cigarette only users (who experienced small increases in TD), TD among U.S. tobacco product users was stable over time, with daily users less likely to vary from baseline. IMPLICATIONS: The level of TD among most U.S. tobacco users was stable over the first three waves of the PATH Study and trends in levels of TD were predominantly unrelated to changes in patterns of continued product use. Stable levels of TD suggest a population at persistent risk of health impacts from tobacco. Wave 1 e-cigarette users experienced small increases in levels of TD over time, perhaps due to increases in quantity or frequency of their e-cigarette use or increasing efficiency of nicotine delivery over time.

Indicators of Tobacco Dependence Among Youth: Findings From Wave 1 (2013-2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.

BACKGROUND: Prior work established a measure of tobacco dependence (TD) among adults that can be used to compare TD across different tobacco products. We extend this approach to develop a common, cross-product metric for TD among youth. METHODS: One thousand one hundred and forty-eight youth aged 12-17 who used a tobacco product in the past 30 days were identified from 13 651 youth respondents in Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. FINDINGS: Analyses confirmed a single primary latent construct underlying responses to TD indicators for all mutually exclusive tobacco product user groups. Differential Item Functioning analyses supported the use of 8 of 10 TD indicators for comparisons across groups. With TD levels anchored at 0.0 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.0) among cigarette only (n = 265) use group, mean TD scores were more than a full SD lower for e-cigarette only (n = 150) use group (mean = -1.09; SD = 0.64). Other single product use group (cigar, hookah, pipe, or smokeless; n = 262) on average had lower TD (mean = -0.60; SD = 0.84), and the group with the use of multiple tobacco products (n = 471) experienced similar levels of TD (mean = 0.14; SD = 0.78) as the cigarette only use group. Concurrent validity was established with product use frequency among all user groups. A subset of five TD items comprised a common metric permitting comparisons between youth and adults. CONCLUSION: The PATH Study Youth Wave 1 Interview provided psychometrically valid measures of TD that enable future regulatory investigations of TD across tobacco products and comparisons between youth and adult tobacco product use group. IMPLICATIONS: A measure of tobacco dependence (TD) has been established previously among adults to compare TD across tobacco products. This study established the validity of a similar, cross-product measure of TD among youth. Findings suggest a single latent TD construct underlying this measure, concurrent validity of the scale with product use frequency across different types of tobacco users, and a subset of common items that can be used to compare TD between youth and adults who use tobacco.

The Role of Cigarillo Flavor in the Co-Use of Cigarillos and Cannabis among Young Adults.

Background: Research suggests flavor facilitates cigarillo use, but it is unknown if flavor impacts patterns of co-use of cigarillos and cannabis ("co-use"), which is common among young adult smokers. This study's aim was to determine the role of the cigarillo flavor in co-use among young adults. Methods: Data were collected (2020-2021) in a cross-sectional online survey administered to young adults who smoked ≥2 cigarillos/week (N = 361), recruited from 15 urban areas in the United States. A structural equation model was used to assess the relationship between flavored cigarillo use and past 30-day cannabis use (flavored cigarillo perceived appeal and harm as parallel mediators), including several social-contextual covariates (e.g., flavor and cannabis policies). Results: Most participants reported usually using flavored cigarillos (81.8%) and cannabis use in the past 30 days ("co-use") (64.1%). Flavored cigarillo use was not directly associated with co-use (p = 0.90). Perceived cigarillo harm (ß = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.29), number of tobacco users in the household (ß = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.33), and past 30-day use of other tobacco products (ß = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.15, 0.32) were significantly positively associated with co-use. Living in an area with a ban on flavored cigarillos was significantly negatively associated with co-use (ß = -0.12, 95% CI = -0.21, -0.02). Conclusions: Use of flavored cigarillos was not associated with co-use; however, exposure to a flavored cigarillo ban was negatively associated with co-use. Cigar product flavor bans may reduce co-use among young adults or have a neutral impact. Further research is needed to explore the interaction between tobacco and cannabis policy and use of these products.

Brain Injury Is Prevalent and Precedes Tobacco Use among Youth and Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness.

70%+ of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness (YYEH; 14-24 years old) smoke combustible tobacco. Little is known about the prevalence of acquired brain injury (ABI) among youth and young adult smokers experiencing homelessness (YYSEH) and its impact on tobacco use progression-the aim of our study. Through an interviewer-administered survey, YYSEH were asked about timing of tobacco use; exposure to causes of ABI; including brain oxygen deprivation (BOD; strangulation; accidental; choking games) and blunt force head trauma (BFHT; intentional; shaken violently; accidental); and perpetrators of intentional assault. Participants (n = 96) were on average 22 years old and from populations who experience structural disparities; including those minoritized by race (84.4%) and gender/sexual orientation (26.0%). In total, 87% of participants reported at least one exposure to BFHT and 65% to BOD. Intentional injury was more common than accidental. Furthermore, 60.4% of participants (n = 59) were classified as having ABI using the Brain Injury Severity Assessment. A significant proportion of YYSEH living with ABI were exposed to both BFHT and BOD prior to trying (68.5%, p = 0.002) and to first regular use (82.8%, p < 0.001) of tobacco. Among YYSEH with ABI; injury exposure occurred a median of 1 and 5 years before age of first regular tobacco use, dependent on injury mechanism. ABI from intentional violence is prevalent and precedes tobacco use among YYSEH.

The CARE Health Advocacy Intervention Improves Trauma-Informed Practices at Domestic Violence Service Organizations to Address Brain Injury, Mental Health, and Substance Use.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact that domestic violence (DV) service organizations' (SO) agency-wide adoption of CARE had on improving DVSO trauma-informed care (TIC) practices, overall, and in relation to addressing brain injury and mental health. CARE is an advocacy intervention designed to raise DVSOs' capacity to C ONNECT with survivors; A CKNOWLEDGE that head trauma, strangulation, and mental health challenges are common; R ESPOND by accommodating needs in services and providing targeted referrals; and E VALUATE effectiveness of response to meet survivors' stated concerns. We hypothesized that TIC would significantly improve among DVSO staff with the agency's use of CARE. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS/DESIGN: Pre- ( n = 53) and 1-year post-CARE ( n = 60) implementation online surveys were completed by staff at 5 DVSOs in Ohio from 2017 to 2019. MAIN MEASURES: Trauma-Informed Practice Scales (TIPS) were used to assess agency support and overall staff impression of implementing TIC; scales were modified to assess the use of TIC-practices related to head trauma, strangulation, mental health, suicide, and substance use. Attitudes Regarding Trauma-Informed Care (ARTIC-45) subscales assessed DVSO staff's endorsement of personal and organizational support in implementing TIC practices. Response options on the Survivor Defined Practice Scale (SDPS) were modified to gain staff insight into DVSO's ability to facilitate survivor empowerment. Differences in endorsement of TIC practices between pre- and post-CARE implementation were evaluated using regression models. RESULTS: DVSO agency environment ( P < .01) and overall staff impression ( P < .001) regarding implementing TIC practices, and in respect to head trauma ( P < .01), strangulation ( P < .01), mental health ( P < .01), suicide ( P = .04), and substance use ( P < .01), significantly improved with the agency's use of CARE. CARE increased DVSO staff's belief in personal and organizational support to implement TIC ( P < .01 and P = .02, respectively) and in their agency's ability to foster survivor empowerment ( P < .01). CONCLUSION: CARE improved TIC practices of DVSOs, overall, and to address brain injury and mental health.

Effects of IQOS health warnings and modified risk claims among young adult cigarette smokers and non-smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Heated tobacco products, including Marlboro IQOS, are available globally. In the USA, IQOS was authorised to be advertised with claims about reduced toxicant exposure relative to cigarettes. The effects of such modified risk claims and health warnings have not been studied among young adult cigarette smokers and non-smokers. METHODS: In 2020, US young adult (18-30 years, n=1328) cigarette smokers and non-smokers viewed an IQOS ad in a 4 (modified risk claim variations or none) by 3 (warning variations or none) between-subjects experiment. Outcome measures assessed perceived credibility and effectiveness of the health or risk message for discouraging IQOS use, perceived harms, efficacy beliefs, and IQOS use intentions. RESULTS: Smokers reported significantly higher (p<0.05) perceived credibility, lower perceived effectiveness, higher efficacy beliefs about switching to IQOS and higher intentions to use IQOS than non-smokers. Among smokers, health warnings increased perceived credibility (p<0.001) and effectiveness (p<0.05), but claims did not affect outcomes examined. Among non-smokers, warnings and claims increased perceived credibility, and warnings increased perceived effectiveness (p<0.003). The reduced exposure claim increased non-smokers' intentions to use IQOS (b=0.40, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Among young adult smokers, health warnings increased perceived effectiveness at discouraging IQOS use and perceived credibility. Among non-smokers, warnings and claims increased perceived credibility and warnings increased perceived effectiveness, but the Food and Drug Administration-authorised reduced exposure claim increased intentions to use IQOS. Research is warranted to understand how the content of modified risk claims and health warnings for IQOS affects IQOS use in this population.

RETRACTED: Changes in Tobacco Dependence and Association With Onset and Progression of Use by Product Type From Wave 1 to Wave 3 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined trajectories of tobacco dependence (TD) in relation to changes in tobacco product use and explored the effects of product-specific adding, switching, or discontinued use on dependence over time. AIMS AND METHODS: Data were analyzed from the first three waves of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal study of adults and youth in the United States. Data included 9556 Wave 1 (2013/2014) adult current established tobacco users who completed all three interviews and had established use at ≥2 assessments. Groups included cigarettes-only users, e-cigarettes-only users, cigars-only users, hookah-only users, any smokeless-only users, cigarette + e-cigarette dual users, and multiple product users. A validated 16-item scale assessed TD across product users. RESULTS: Wave 1 e-cigarette-only users' who maintained exclusive e-cigarette use increased levels of TD through Wave 3 as did those who added or switched to another product. Wave 1 multiple product users' TD decreased across waves. TD for all other Wave 1 user groups remained about the same. For Wave 1 cigarette-only smokers, switching to another product or moving to a pattern of no established use was associated with lower levels of TD than smokers whose use stayed the same. Movement to no established use of any tobacco product was consistently associated with lower TD for all other product users. CONCLUSIONS: Except for Wave 1 e-cigarette-only users, TD among US tobacco product users was stable over time, with daily users less likely to vary from baseline. IMPLICATIONS: The level of TD among most US tobacco users was stable over the first three waves of the PATH Study and trends in levels of TD were predominantly unrelated to changes in patterns of continued product use. Stable levels of TD suggest a population at persistent risk of health impacts from tobacco. Wave 1 e-cigarette users, including those maintaining exclusive e-cigarette use, experienced increasing levels of TD over time, perhaps because of increases in quantity or frequency of their e-cigarette product use or increasing efficiency of nicotine delivery over time.

Psychosocial factors influencing smoking relapse among youth experiencing homelessness: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: In the United States, up to 70% of youth experiencing homelessness smoke cigarettes. Many are interested in quitting; however, little is known about psychosocial factors influencing smoking relapse in this population. This study, part of a larger project to develop an optimized smoking cessation intervention for youth experiencing homelessness, aimed to describe how psychosocial factors influence smoking relapse in this group. METHODS: This study describes the smoking relapse experiences of 26 youth tobacco users, aged 14-24 years, who were recruited from a homeless drop-in center in Ohio. We conducted semi-structured interviews to understand how stress, opportunity, and coping contribute to smoking relapse. RESULTS: Five themes emerged from the data: (1) smoking as a lapse in emotional self-regulation in response to stress; (2) smoking as active emotional self-regulation in response to stress; (3) social opportunities facilitate smoking in the context of emotion-focused stress coping; (4) problem-focused stress coping; and (5) opportunity facilitates smoking relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Stress was a primary driver of smoking relapse among youth experiencing homelessness, yet social and environmental opportunities to smoke also precipitated relapse. Interventions to improve abstinence among this population should target foundational stressors, coping skills, social supports, and nicotine dependence.

Cigarillo Flavor and Motivation to Quit among Co-Users of Cigarillos and Cannabis: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

Flavored cigar restrictions have the potential to benefit public health. Flavor availability facilitates cigarillo use, but it is unknown if flavor impacts patterns of co-use of cigarillos and cannabis, an increasingly prevalent behavior among young adults. Data were collected (2020-2021) in a cross-sectional online survey administered to a convenience sample of young adults who smoked cigarillos from 15 areas with high cigar use prevalence. We assessed the relationship between flavored cigarillo use and motivation to quit cannabis and cigarillo use among past 30-day co-users (N = 218), as well as several covariates (e.g., cigarillo price and flavor/cannabis policy). Flavored cigarillo perceived appeal and harm were hypothesized parallel mediators. Most co-users reported usually using flavored cigarillos (79.5%), which was not significantly associated with motivation to quit cigarillos or cannabis. Perceived cigarillo harm (ß = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.00, 0.33), advertising exposure (ß = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.00, 0.24), and income (among racial/ethnic minorities; ß = -0.13, 95% CI = -0.25, -0.02) were significant predictors of motivation to quit cigarillos. There were no significant predictors of motivation to quit cannabis. Cigarillo flavor was not associated with motivation to quit, so findings could suggest that banning flavors in cigars may have a neutral impact on co-use with cannabis among young adults.

Characterizing tobacco and marijuana use among youth combustible tobacco users experiencing homelessness - considering product type, brand, flavor, frequency, and higher-risk use patterns and predictors.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is three times more prevalent among youth experiencing homelessness compared with the general population. Co-use of tobacco and marijuana is also common. The aim of this study is to characterize tobacco and marijuana use among youth experiencing homelessness who use combustible tobacco in a Midwestern city to inform smoking cessation intervention. METHODS: This study included 96 youth (ages 14-24 years; 52% male, 39% female, 5% transgender/non-binary) attending a homeless drop-in center who had used at least one combustible tobacco product in the past week. We assessed past-month use of tobacco products and marijuana, other product use characteristics (e.g., frequency, brand and flavor), and psychosocial predictors of more frequent (i.e., daily) use of combustible tobacco and marijuana. RESULTS: Most youth experiencing homelessness with past-week combustible tobacco use had used cigarettes (n = 85, 88.5%), cigars (n = 89, 92.7%), and marijuana (n = 82, 85.4%) in the past month. One-third (n = 34) used electronic vapor products (EVPs), 19.8% (n = 19) smoked hookah, and 11.5% (n = 11) used smokeless tobacco (ST). Most marijuana users co-administered with tobacco (n = 67, 69.8%). Daily combustible tobacco smoking was associated with having a child and smoking out of boredom/habit. Daily marijuana use was associated with using substances to cope with one's housing situation. Newport (n = 66, 72.5%) and Black & Mild (n = 48, 51.1%) were the most popular brands of cigarettes and cigars among ever users. Most non-combustible tobacco ever users reported not having a usual brand (EVPs: n = 51, 73.9%; ST: n = 16, 57.1%). Cigar smokers reported the most varied selection of flavors. CONCLUSIONS: Young combustible tobacco users experiencing homelessness engage in high-risk use patterns, including poly-tobacco use, co-use of tobacco with marijuana, and frequent combustible product use. Interventions that consider the full context of tobacco and marijuana use are needed to support smoking cessation in this population.

How CARE Tools Are Being Used to Address Brain Injury and Mental Health Struggles With Survivors of Domestic Violence.

INTRODUCTION: CARE (Connect, Acknowledge, Respond, and Evaluate) is an advocacy framework developed for domestic violence service organization (DVSO) providers to address and accommodate domestic violence (DV) survivors with brain injury and mental health struggles. The CARE tools were designed for use by advocates and include the Just Breathe booklet, the Head Injury education card, and the Invisible Injuries booklet. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report findings on how CARE tools are being used by DVSO providers as well as their impact on DVSO advocacy practice. METHODS: Post-CARE retrospective process evaluation online surveys (n = 60) and focus groups (n = 10 groups; 57 advocates) were conducted with consenting staff at 5 DVSOs in Ohio who partnered with the state coalition to develop and evaluate CARE, overseen by a university research partner. Rigorous, iterative coding qualitative analysis methods, endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, were used (Cohen's κ = 0.903 [stage 1] and 0.810 [stage 2]). RESULTS: The use of CARE tools has been integral to DVSO providers' implementation of the CARE advocacy framework. DVSO advocates are using CARE tools to Connect with self, survivors, and other systems; to Acknowledge that head trauma and mental health struggles are common among survivors and that ongoing education and self-care are necessary for advocates. Advocates have been able to provide a more holistic Response through accommodation within DVSOs and referral to other providers, often by using the CARE tools, including the Head Injury education card. CONCLUSION: CARE tools were designed for lay use to address head trauma, strangulation, and mental health struggles with DV survivors and are free for download at the Center on Partner Inflicted Brain Injury website: https://www.odvn.org/brain-injury. More widespread use of these tools by advocates has the potential to improve services for DV survivors and address what have historically been invisible injuries and mental health struggles in the population.

"I Smoked That Cigarette, and It Calmed Me Down": A Qualitative Analysis of Intrapersonal, Social, and Environmental Factors Influencing Decisions to Smoke Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 70% of youth experiencing homelessness smoke cigarettes; many try to quit and are interested in formal smoking cessation programs. The purpose of this study was to describe the intrapersonal, social, and environmental contexts associated with the most recent smoking experience among youth experiencing homelessness and (2) identify differences in contextual factors by age and willingness to quit. METHODS: Thirty-six youth experiencing homelessness aged 14-24 years and who reported current smoking were recruited from a drop-in center in a Midwestern city. Semi-structured in-person interviews were analyzed to understand smoking behaviors. RESULTS: Two-thirds of participants reported stress and nicotine dependence as primary reasons for smoking, and older youth (aged 18-24 years) reported smoking to de-escalate negative emotions associated with stressful events. For 25% of participants, and especially older youth, smoking was described as part of a routine. Over 80% of participants smoked outside at the homeless drop-in center or the places they lived. Social prompts from drop-in center peers regularly preempted smoking. Younger youth (aged 14-17 years) reported smoking socially while older youth were more likely to smoke alone. CONCLUSIONS: For youth experiencing homelessness, smoking is integrated into daily life and is often used to manage stress associated with homelessness and engage socially with homeless peers. Multicomponent interventions to reduce structural stressors specific to homelessness, change social smoking norms (environmental and social context), and address stress management and nicotine dependence (intrapersonal context) are needed to support smoking cessation among youth experiencing homelessness. IMPLICATIONS: Youth experiencing homelessness overwhelmingly described how daily stressors associated with homelessness and nicotine dependence preceded recent smoking. Older youth (aged 18-24 years) also reported smoking as "routine", which likely underscores nicotine dependence in this group. Younger youth (aged 14-17 years) described social smoking. Researchers must develop optimized multilevel interventions to support youth experiencing homelessness who want to quit smoking. Interventions directly targeting social determinants of stress (e.g., poverty, housing instability, food insecurity) and linkages to supportive services are needed. Complementary strategies to address stress coping and nicotine dependence (intrapersonal context) and social smoking norms (social and environmental context) are also necessitated.

Validation of the Wave 1 and Wave 2 Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Indicators of Tobacco Dependence Using Biomarkers of Nicotine Exposure Across Tobacco Products.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the predictive relationships between biomarkers of nicotine exposure and 16-item self-reported level of tobacco dependence (TD) and subsequent tobacco use outcomes. AIMS AND METHODS: The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study surveyed adult current established tobacco users who provided urine biospecimens at Wave 1 (September 2013-December 2014) and completed the Wave 2 (October 2014-October 2015) interview (n = 6872). Mutually exclusive user groups at Wave 1 included: Cigarette Only, E-cigarette Only, Cigar Only, Hookah Only, Smokeless Tobacco Only, Cigarette Plus E-cigarette, multiple tobacco product users who smoked cigarettes, and multiple tobacco product users who did not smoke cigarettes. Total Nicotine Equivalents (TNE-2) and TD were measured at Wave 1. Approximate one-year outcomes included frequency/quantity used, quitting, and adding/switching to different tobacco products. RESULTS: For Cigarette Only smokers and multiple tobacco product users who smoked cigarettes, higher TD and TNE-2 were associated with: a tendency to smoke more, smoking more frequently over time, decreased likelihood of switching away from cigarettes, and decreased probability of quitting after one year. For other product user groups, Wave 1 TD and/or TNE-2 were less consistently related to changes in quantity and frequency of product use, or for adding or switching products, but higher TNE-2 was more consistently predictive of decreased probability of quitting. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported TD and nicotine exposure assess common and independent aspects of dependence in relation to tobacco use behaviors for cigarette smokers. For other product user groups, nicotine exposure is a more consistent predictor of quitting than self-reported TD. IMPLICATIONS: This study suggests that smoking cigarettes leads to the most coherent pattern of associations consistent with a syndrome of TD. Because cigarettes continue to be prevalent and harmful, efforts to decrease their use may be accelerated via conventional means (eg, smoking cessation interventions and treatments), but also perhaps by decreasing their dependence potential. The implications for noncombustible tobacco products are less clear as the stability of tobacco use patterns that include products such as e-cigarettes continue to evolve. TD, nicotine exposure measures, and consumption could be used in studies that attempt to understand and predict product-specific tobacco use behavioral outcomes.