Perceptions and Experiences with Flavored Non-Menthol Tobacco Products: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

Introduction:
This text provides a comprehensive review of the perceptions and experiences of individuals regarding flavored non-menthol tobacco products. It explores the reasons why people use these products and how they perceive the harm associated with them. The review is based on a systematic analysis of 20 qualitative studies conducted in various countries, including the US, Canada, Scotland, the UK, the Middle East, and Malaysia.

Key Points:

* The review includes studies published in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on non-menthol flavored tobacco products.
* The majority of the studies reported positive perceptions of flavored tobacco products, particularly among young adults and adolescents.
* Participants believed flavored tobacco products to be less harmful than cigarettes.
* Flavors were mentioned as leading to experimentation and initiation of flavored tobacco products.
* Six studies assessed harm perceptions, and participants mentioned flavors as a reason why they perceive certain tobacco products as less harmful than cigarettes.
* Participants across studies mentioned how flavors led to their experimentation and/or initiation of flavored tobacco products.
* The type of flavored tobacco products may play a differential role in tobacco use patterns throughout the life course.
* The review highlights the potential of flavors to introduce youth to other tobacco products, but these patterns may differ by type of product first used.

Main Message:
The review provides valuable insights into the perceptions and experiences of individuals regarding flavored non-menthol tobacco products. It highlights the positive perceptions of these products, particularly among young adults and adolescents, and the belief that they are less harmful than cigarettes. The review also emphasizes the role of flavors in experimentation and initiation of flavored tobacco products. Given that many countries have not yet banned flavors in tobacco products, these findings add to existing research on why individuals use flavored tobacco products and how they perceive harm in flavored tobacco products. The main message is that there is a need for further regulation of non-menthol flavors in most tobacco products to curb tobacco use among youth.

Kowitt, Sarah, Clare Meernik, Hannah Baker, Amira Osman, Li-Ling Huang, and Adam Goldstein. “Perceptions and Experiences with Flavored Non-Menthol Tobacco Products: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14, no. 4 (March 23, 2017): 338. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040338.