The Other Combustible Products: Prevalence and Correlates of Little Cigar/Cigarillo Use Among Cigarette Smokers

Introduction:
This text is a study on the use of little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs) among adult cigarette smokers in the United States. The study explores the differences between cigarette smokers with and without a history of LCC use, including their harm perceptions, use of other tobacco products, cigarette smoking/cessation-related behaviors/cognitions, and mental health and substance use disorder symptoms. The study aims to provide insights into the unique predictors and correlates of LCC use among adult cigarette smokers.

Key Points:

* The study found that a third of the sample had tried LCCs, and LCC users were more likely to have experimented with other tobacco products and used menthol.
* Menthol and other tobacco product use were the only significant correlates of LCC use in logistic regression models.
* Post-hoc analyses showed that other tobacco product use partially mediated an association between substance use disorder symptoms and LCC use.
* LCC users were more likely to perceive LCCs as less harmful than cigarettes.
* LCC users had a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation and substance use disorder symptoms than never users.
* Bivariate analyses showed that LCC users were more likely to be male, younger, and have lower income.
* The study highlights the unique risk factors among cigarette smokers who use LCCs and suggests that these users deserve specific targeting in public health campaigns.

Main Message:
The study underscores the importance of understanding the unique predictors and correlates of LCC use among adult cigarette smokers. The high degree of co-use of cigarette smoking and LCCs with other tobacco products and the association of LCC use to substance use suggests that these users have unique risk factors. The study recommends that public health campaigns should specifically target LCC users, especially those who also use other tobacco products and have substance use disorder symptoms. The study also emphasizes the need for further research to better understand the relationship between LCC use and substance use disorders.

Cohn, Amy, Caroline O. Cobb, Raymond S. Niaura, and Amanda Richardson. “The Other Combustible Products: Prevalence and Correlates of Little Cigar/Cigarillo Use Among Cigarette Smokers.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research 17, no. 12 (December 2015): 1473–81. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntv022.