Personal Characteristics Associated With Switching From Cigarettes to Noncombustible Tobacco and Nicotine Products Among U.S. Adults: Findings From PATH Study Waves 1–5

Introduction:
This article presents the findings of a study that aimed to evaluate the factors associated with switching from cigarette smoking to noncombustible tobacco and nicotine products among U.S. adults using data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. The study examined product transitions in three 2-year wave pairs across 2013-2019 and assessed demographics, smoking characteristics, perceptions, and messaging exposure as predictors of transitions from cigarette smoking.

Key Points:

* The study found that younger age, male gender, and perceiving noncombustible tobacco products as less harmful than smoking were positively associated with switching to noncombustible tobacco products versus continued smoking.
* Black and Hispanic individuals were less likely to switch to noncombustible tobacco products compared to continued smoking, cessation, or dual use.
* Higher income and daily heavy smoking were positively associated with switching to noncombustible tobacco products versus dual use.
* Exposure to promotional ads was positively associated with switching to noncombustible tobacco products versus cessation and dual use.
* Noticing health warnings on cigarette packs was not associated with switching to noncombustible tobacco products.
* Transitioning to noncombustible tobacco products was unequally distributed among sociodemographic groups and smoking characteristics.

Main Message:
The study suggests that the mere availability of noncombustible tobacco products may not promote health equity, and continued market and regulatory efforts are needed to promote both smoking cessation and transitioning to noncombustible tobacco products among various populations. The study highlights the need for more focused harm reduction efforts for racial and ethnic minority populations as a complementary strategy to cessation to reduce health disparities from smoking.

Akshika Sharma, Karin A Kasza, Richard J O’Connor, Nicholas J Felicione, Personal Characteristics Associated With Switching From Cigarettes to Noncombustible Tobacco and Nicotine Products Among U.S. Adults: Findings From PATH Study Waves 1–5, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Volume 27, Issue 1, January 2025, Pages 80–90, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntae170