Prevalence and Correlates of Tobacco and Nicotine Containing Product Use in a Sample of United States Air Force Trainees

Introduction:
This text is a research article that presents the findings of a study on the prevalence and correlates of tobacco and nicotine containing product (TNCP) use among young military trainees in the US Air Force. The study also assessed two important correlates of use, including intentions to use and perceptions of harm associated with TNCPs to assist future work in identifying areas for intervention. The study provides valuable information on the use of TNCPs, including cigarettes, new and emerging tobacco products, and e-cigarettes, among young military trainees.

Key Points:

* The study included a cross-sectional sample of 13,685 Airmen undergoing Technical Training between 2013 and 2014.
* Participants were asked about their prevalence of TNCP use prior to BMT, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snus, cigars, cigarillos, pipe, electronic cigarettes, hookah, roll your own cigarettes, and compressed tobacco.
* Regular use of a TNCP was defined as at least monthly use of the product.
* The prevalence of TNCP use was 26.9%, with cigarettes (11.2%) and hookah (10.5%) being the most prevalent products.
* Airmen that regularly use TNCPs were more likely to be male, non-Hispanic white, and single with a high school degree or General Education Development.
* Intentions to use TNCPs were associated with current TNCP use, with intentions to use hookah being the highest endorsed TNCP across TNCP users and nonusers.
* Perceived harm across all TNCPs was higher for nonusers compared with users, with effect sizes ranging from 0.30 for roll your own cigarettes to 0.70 for snus.

Main Message:
The study highlights the high prevalence of TNCP use among young military trainees, with cigarettes and hookah being the most prevalent products. The findings suggest that intervention efforts should be directed at multiple forms of TNCP use to address this important public health issue. The study also emphasizes the importance of assessing intentions to use and perceptions of harm associated with TNCPs to identify areas for intervention. The study's findings can inform policy and future research aimed at reducing TNCP use among young military personnel.

Little, Melissa A., Karen J. Derefinko, Zoran Bursac, Jon O. Ebbert, Lauren Colvin, Gerald W. Talcott, Ann S. Hryshko-Mullen, Phyllis A. Richey, and Robert C. Klesges. “Prevalence and Correlates of Tobacco and Nicotine Containing Product Use in a Sample of United States Air Force Trainees.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research 18, no. 4 (April 2016): 416–23. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntv090.