Tobacco product initiation is correlated with cross-product changes in tobacco harm perception and susceptibility: Longitudinal analysis of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health youth cohort

Introduction:
This text summarizes a longitudinal study examining the relationship between tobacco product initiation and changes in susceptibility and perceived harm of other tobacco products among US adolescents. The study aims to understand how initiating use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookah, smokeless tobacco, or other combustible tobacco is correlated with prospective changes in perceived harm and susceptibility of other tobacco or nicotine product types.

Key Points:

* The study used data from the first two waves of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) youth sample.
* Participants were classified based on their tobacco product use status at Wave 1 and Wave 2.
* Perceived harm, curiosity, and willingness were measured for each tobacco product in both waves.
* Multivariate models were used to assess the associations between tobacco product initiation and changes in perceived harm and susceptibility.
* After adjusting for confounding factors, new use of each tobacco product type was associated with decreased perceived harm of that product.
* New use of tobacco products was positively associated with increased curiosity and willingness to try other product types.
* The observed changes in perceptions and susceptibility do not necessarily indicate that youth will adopt long-term tobacco poly-use.

Main Message:
The study findings highlight the importance of considering all potential cross-product permutations of tobacco initiation and changes in harm perception or susceptibility in a longitudinal setting. As youth who experiment with one form of tobacco should be considered at heightened susceptibility for subsequent initiation with other tobacco types, these results are relevant for youth tobacco prevention efforts. The study suggests that estimating the total health impact of any tobacco product should account for plausible effects on youth susceptibility to additional forms of tobacco.

Chaffee, Benjamin W., and Jing Cheng. “Tobacco Product Initiation Is Correlated with Cross-Product Changes in Tobacco Harm Perception and Susceptibility: Longitudinal Analysis of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Youth Cohort.” Preventive Medicine 114 (September 2018): 72–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.06.008.