Dependence symptoms and cessation intentions among US adult daily cigarette, cigar, and e-cigarette users, 2012-2013

Introduction:
This article presents a study on tobacco dependence symptoms and cessation intentions among US adult daily cigarette, cigar, and e-cigarette users. The study aimed to provide information about the effects of these products on users that can inform future regulatory and research activities.

Key Points:

* The study used nationally representative data from the 2012-2013 National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS) to analyze dependence symptoms and cessation intentions for users of cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes but not other tobacco products.
* Dual cigarette and cigar users showed evidence of greater dependence symptoms, while dual cigarette and e-cigarette users showed evidence of greater dependence symptoms and cessation intentions compared with exclusive cigarette smokers.
* A sizeable number of users of all of the tobacco products reported dependence symptoms such as craving for tobacco.
* The study also found that exclusive cigar and e-cigarette users reported dependence symptoms, with more than a third of exclusive cigar (38.8%) and e-cigarette (46.1%) users reporting experiencing a strong craving for a tobacco product in the past 30 days.
* The study controlled for other tobacco products and focused on cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes because they are associated with similar use behaviors.
* The 2012-2013 NATS was designed to include multiple measures of tobacco dependence symptoms relevant for all tobacco products, including craving and withdrawal symptoms and time to first tobacco use.
* The study also analyzed future cessation intentions for users, as tobacco dependence is often predictive of cessation motivation and success.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding tobacco dependence symptoms and cessation intentions among users of tobacco products, particularly for cigar and e-cigarette users for whom such information was previously lacking. The findings of the study can inform future regulatory and research activities regarding tobacco products, particularly in light of the FDA's recent regulatory jurisdiction over these products. The study also emphasizes the need for more research on measures of nicotine dependence among users of tobacco products other than cigarettes.

Rostron, Brian L., Megan J. Schroeder, and Bridget K. Ambrose. “Dependence Symptoms and Cessation Intentions among US Adult Daily Cigarette, Cigar, and e-Cigarette Users, 2012-2013.” BMC Public Health 16, no. 1 (December 2016): 814. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3510-2.