Cigarette smokers' classification of tobacco products.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette consumption has declined in the USA. However, cigar consumption has increased. This may be due in part to some cigarette smokers switching to filtered cigars as a less expensive substitute for cigarettes. Additionally, some cigarette smokers may perceive and consume little filtered cigars as cigarettes. The purpose of this study was to determine how cigarette smokers classify tobacco products when presented with photographs of those products. METHODS: An online survey was conducted with a sample of 344 self-identified cigarette smokers. Respondents were presented with pictures of various types of tobacco products, both with and without packaging, and then asked to categorise them as either a cigarette, little cigar, cigarillo, cigar or machine-injected roll-your-own cigarette (RYO). Respondents were also asked about their tobacco use and purchasing behaviour. RESULTS: Overall, respondents had difficulty distinguishing between cigarettes, little cigars, cigarillos and RYO. When presented with images of the products without packaging, 93% of respondents identified RYO as a cigarette, while 42% identified a little cigar as a cigarette. Additionally, respondents stated that they would consider purchasing little cigars as substitutes for cigarettes because of the price advantage. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey suggest that when presented with photographs of tobacco products, large proportions of current smokers were unable to differentiate between cigarettes, little cigars, cigarillos, RYO and cigars. Findings have implications for existing public health efforts targeting cigarette smokers, and underscore the need to review current definitions of tobacco products and federal excise taxes on such products.

Cigar use before and after a cigarette excise tax increase in New Jersey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cigarette smokers in New Jersey substituted cigars following a cigarette excise tax increase. METHODS: We examined data from New Jersey's 2001 and 2002 Adult Tobacco Survey (NJATS). Adjusted odds ratios were generated for ever and current cigar use, controlling for demographics and cigarette smoking status. RESULTS: Males, whites, ever cigarette smokers, and those with higher education reported greater ever and current cigar use in both years. The adjusted odds for cigar use among recent quitters were higher in 2002 than in 2001. CONCLUSIONS: When other tobacco products' excise taxes fail to keep pace with cigarettes, there is a real potential for product substitution. Cessation of all tobacco products is necessary for the best public health outcome.

Prevalence and correlates of internet cigarette purchasing among adult smokers in New Jersey.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and correlates of internet cigarette purchasing among adult smokers. DESIGN: Analysis of internet purchasing in data from a population based telephone survey of New Jersey households. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with internet cigarette purchasing, adjusting for year, demographic, and smoking behaviour variables. PARTICIPANTS: 3447 current cigarette smokers pooled from three cross sectional surveys conducted in 2000, 2001, and 2002. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ever purchasing tobacco and usually buying cigarettes via the internet. RESULTS: Among all current cigarette smokers, ever having purchased tobacco via the internet increased from 1.1% in 2000 to 6.7% in 2002 and usually buying cigarettes via the internet increased from 0.8% in 2000 to 3.1% in 2002. Among current cigarette smokers with internet access, ever having purchased tobacco via the internet was higher among those who reported smoking 31 or more cigarettes per day (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5 to 10.2) and those without a past year quit attempt (adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.0). Usually purchasing cigarettes via the internet was higher among those aged 45-64 years (adjusted OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 17.1) and who reported having their first cigarette < or = 30 minutes after waking (adjusted OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 9.2). CONCLUSIONS: Although higher prices are known to reduce the demand for cigarettes, internet cigarette purchasing is likely to weaken this effect, particularly among heavy, more dependent smokers who are less interested in quitting.