Longitudinal Associations of Cigarette Prices With Smoking Cessation: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

A literature review addressing midwakh and e-cigarette use in the Gulf region

A notable decrease in conventional cigarette smoking has been witnessed on a global scale. However, this decrease has been accompanied by an equally striking global increase in the consumption of alternative tobacco products (ATPs), namely e-cigarettes and midwakh in the Arabian Gulf region. A literature review was used to outline the chemical composition of these two ATPs and review their impacts on health. The study was conducted using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, MDPI, and WorldCat. The literature search included terms such as "e-cigarettes," "midwakh," "dokha," "heath impacts," "psychological effects," "social influences," and "cigarette smoking" with emphasis on literature from the Arabian Gulf region. Data shows that midwakh contains markedly high levels of tar, nicotine, and various compounds of notable effects on the human body. Similarly, it was found that e-cigarettes contain non-negligible amounts of nicotine and other chemical compounds that may not have been extensively investigated. Alarming reports of system-specific effects brought about by midwakh, and e-cigarette consumption, have been reported, although further research is needed to deduce the mechanism. We also discussed some of the social and psychological factors leading to their consumption within this population. Hence, this review raises questions around the safety of these two types of ATPs and encourages comprehensive studies globally and regionally.

Motivating non-physician health workers to reduce the behavioral risk factors of non-communicable diseases in the community: a field trial study

BACKGROUND

Non-communicable diseases behavioral risk factors can be improved if effective interventions are designed considering the health system's capabilities and local resources. This study evaluated the effectiveness of interventions that aimed at increasing non-physician community health workers' motivation in reducing non-communicable diseases behavioral risk factors in the community.

METHODS

A randomized field trial study was conducted in 32 community health centers in 4 Iranian districts after a baseline population survey on the status of NCDs of 30-70-year-old individuals (n = 1225). The interventions were performed to improve insufficient physical activity, insufficient fruit consumption, insufficient vegetable consumption, high salt intake, and tobacco use. Four intervention packages were implemented in 24 community health centers; the other 8 centers were used as control groups. The non-physician community health workers performed the interventions. The packages additively included goal-setting, evidence-based education, operational planning, and incentive payments. A second survey was conducted 1 year after the start of the interventions to identify the effects on an independent random sample of 30-70-year-old individuals (n = 1221). Difference-in-difference method was used to quantify the interventions' effects.

RESULTS

The average age of participants in both surveys was about 49 years. Also, about half of the participants were female, and about 43% were illiterate or had a primary school education. The interventions had statistically significant effects only on decreasing the prevalence of insufficient physical activity. The package with all the intervention components decreased the odds of insufficient physical activity to 0.24 (95% CI, 0.08, 0.72). The package with operational planning but no performance-based financing did not change the odds of insufficient physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted the importance of components, design, and implementation details of interventions intended to reduce NCDs behavioral risk factors. Some risk factors, such as insufficient physical activity, seem more easily modifiable with limited low-cost interventions in a one-year horizon. However, risk factors related to healthy food consumption and tobacco use need more extensive interventions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was registered on the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20081205001488N2) on 3 June 2018 ( https://en.irct.ir/trial/774 ).

Tobacco Taxation and Its Prospective Impact on Disparities in Smoking Initiation and Progression Among Young Adults

PURPOSE

Limited research exists on tobacco taxes and cigarette smoking initiation and progression, particularly across different sociodemographic groups in young adulthood. This project examines how cigarette pack price in late adolescence prospectively relates to smoking initiation and progression by 21 years of age, focusing on differences across demographics.

METHODS

Data are from the longitudinal Monitoring the Future project (2001-2017). Monitoring the Future examines drug use behaviors with nationally representative samples of 12th graders annually. Subsamples of 12th graders are followed up longitudinally. We examined past 30-day cigarette smoking among baseline never smokers (N = 9,232) and daily smoking among youths who were not daily cigarette smokers at baseline (N = 15,141). Using logistic regression, we examined state-level cigarette pack price at a modal age of 18 years and smoking at follow-up ages 19-20 years; we used interaction terms to assess differences across sociodemographic groups (by gender, race/ethnicity, and parental education).

RESULTS

For each dollar increase in price at baseline, the odds of initiation by age 19-20 years were reduced by 12% (adjusted odds ratio = .88; 95% confidence interval = .78, .99) and the odds of progression to daily smoking were reduced by 16% (adjusted odds ratio = .84; 95% confidence interval = .76, .92). After adjusting for multiple testing, for both outcomes there were no statistically significant interactions between price and demographics.

CONCLUSIONS

Cigarette prices in late adolescence were associated with a prospective reduction in cigarette smoking initiation and progression among young adults, with limited differences across sociodemographic characteristics. Higher cigarette prices can prevent smoking initiation and progression; however, complementary interventions are needed to reduce initiation and progression among subgroups disproportionately affected by tobacco.

Impact of population tobacco control interventions on socioeconomic inequalities in smoking: a systematic review and appraisal of future research directions

BACKGROUND

While price increases and targeted cessation support have been found to reduce inequalities in smoking by socioeconomic status (SES), evidence on other measures is mixed. We aimed to update the most recent (2014) previous review by identifying and appraising evidence published since 2013 on the equity impact of population tobacco control measures.

METHODS

Systematic searching of 10 electronic databases and hand-searching of four key journals identified 68 primary research articles published since 2013 that sought to examine the equity impact of population tobacco control measures in high-income countries with a negative socioeconomic gradient in smoking. Reported equity impacts were categorised as positive (greater impact among lower SES), neutral (no difference by SES), negative (greater impact among higher SES) or mixed/unclear.

RESULTS

There was substantial growth in research seeking to evaluate the equity impact of tobacco control interventions, but the majority of new studies showed mixed/unclear results. Findings for price increases and targeted cessation support continue to suggest an equity-positive impact, but limitations in the available evidence make further assessment difficult. Substantial differences in the context, scale and implementation of tobacco control policies make straightforward comparison of findings from the previous 2014 and current reviews problematic.

CONCLUSION

Researchers need to adopt more sophisticated, multidisciplinary approaches in evaluating the equity impact of tobacco control measures-developing robust measures of equity effect and using frameworks that take account of context, existing systems/processes and the likely mechanisms of action. Socioeconomic differences in intervention impact within low-income and middle-income countries require evaluation.

Trends in and Correlates of Use of Roll-Your-Own Cigarettes: A Population Study in England 2008-2017

INTRODUCTION

Understanding the use of cheaper roll-your-own (RYO) cigarettes may have implications for tobacco tax policy. We examined trends in RYO cigarette use in England between 2008 and 2017, and characterized users' sociodemographic and smoking profiles.

METHODS

We used data from 211 469 respondents to a survey representative of the adult (≥16 years) population. In current smokers across the entire study period (n = 43 389), we assessed multivariable associations between cigarette type (RYO or factory-made [FM]) and sociodemographic and smoking characteristics. Among current smokers in 2008 and 2017 (n = 7685), we tested interactions between year and cigarette type to assess the stability of each characteristic.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2017, FM cigarette use declined from 15.3% to 9.2% whereas RYO use increased from 6.7% to 8.1%. Greater odds of RYO use were observed among younger, male smokers from lower social grades, who were more addicted and used electronic cigarettes (ORrange = 1.28-1.86, p < .001). Lower odds of RYO use were observed among nondaily smokers, those with high motivation to stop, and higher spending on smoking (ORrange = 0.46-0.89, p ≤ .001). The RYO smoker profile was relatively stable between 2008 and 2017. However, compared with FM use, RYO use increased in younger (p < .001) and female (p = .019) smokers, and there was a relatively smaller decline in the proportion cutting down or trying to quit (p = .004).

CONCLUSION

In England, RYO use increased when overall smoking prevalence and FM use decreased. The profile of RYO smokers remained relatively stable, with users typically younger, male, more addicted, deprived, spending less on smoking, and less inclined to quit than FM smokers.

IMPLICATIONS

This population-based study provides novel insight into recent trends in RYO use in England, providing an up-to-date understanding of the profile of RYO smokers. Without the consistent application of tax across the range of combustible products, smokers who are more dependent are able to capitalize on the lower cost of RYO in order to continue smoking, undermining the potential benefit of taxation on cessation.

Roll-your-own cigarette use and smoking cessation behaviour: a cross-sectional population study in England

OBJECTIVES

Roll-your-own (RYO) cigarettes have become popular in the UK and reduce the cost of smoking, potentially mitigating the impact of tax increases on quitting. We examined whether RYO cigarette use was associated with reduced motivation to quit smoking, incidence of quit attempts and quit success.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

England.

PARTICIPANTS

38 590 adults who reported currently smoking or having stopped within the past 12 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Motivation to quit smoking, quit attempt in the last year, motives for quitting and quit success were regressed onto RYO cigarette use, adjusting for sociodemographic variables and level of cigarette addiction. Mediation by weekly spending on smoking was tested.

RESULTS

Compared with manufactured cigarette smokers, RYO smokers had lower odds of high motivation to quit (OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.81) or having made a quit attempt (OR=0.87, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.91). Among those who had attempted to quit smoking, quit success did not differ by cigarette type (OR=1.00, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.12), but RYO smokers were less likely to report cost of smoking as a motive to quit (OR=0.68, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.74). Spending on smoking mediated the association between RYO use and quit attempts (β=-0.02, SE=0.003, 95% CI -0.03 to -0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In England, compared with smokers of manufactured cigarettes, RYO cigarette smokers appear to have lower motivation to quit and lower incidence of quit attempts but similar success of quit attempts. The lower cost of RYO smoking appears to mediate the lower incidence of quit attempts among RYO users.

Long-term smoking cessation rates in elderly versus other adult smokers: A 3-year follow-up study in Taiwan

Introduction

Smoking cessation improves life expectancy at any age. There is some evidence that elderly smokers have at least as good a chance of successfully stopping as other smokers but direct comparisons with long-term follow up are rare. This study aimed to compare success rates up to 3 years in smokers aged 65+ versus other adult smokers with and without adjustment for a range of other smoker characteristics.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 1065 smokers who attended a stop-smoking clinic in Taiwan. Participants (896 < 65 years, 169 65+ years) were followed up by telephone 3, 6, 12 and 36 months after the initial quit date. Prolonged abstinence (abstinent at all follow-ups) and point prevalence abstinence (7 days prior to final follow up) were compared between ‘elderly’ participants aged 65+ years versus ‘non-elderly’ participants aged <65 years with and without adjustment for a range of baseline smoker characteristics (sex, educational level, previous quit attempts, cigarette dependence score). Non-responders were considered to be smoking.

Results

Prolonged 36-month abstinence rates were 20.1% (N = 34) and 15.3% (N = 137) in the elderly and non-elderly participants respectively (p = 0.137). Point prevalence 36-month abstinence rates were 37.3% (N = 63) and 26.5% (N = 237) in the elderly and non-elderly participants respectively (p = 0.005). The odds ratios comparing elderly versus non-elderly abstinence rates after adjustment for baseline variables were 1.17 (95%CI = 0.75–1.83) and 1.52 (95%CI = 1.05–2.20) for prolonged abstinence and point prevalence abstinence respectively.

Conclusions

Elderly smokers attending smoker clinics in Taiwan appear to be at least as likely to achieve long-term abstinence as other adult smokers.

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Prolonged 36-month abstinence rates were higher in the elderly group.

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Point prevalence 36-month abstinence rates were also higher in the elderly group. and non-elderly participants respectively.