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Article
Flavoring Patterns of Exclusive and Dual-Use of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes Among US Adults: Results from the TUS-CPS 2018-2019
Am J Health Promot (2022)
  • Luis Zavala-Arciniega
  • Jana Hirschtick, Advocate Aurora Health
  • Rafael Meza
  • Nancy L. Fleischer
Abstract
Purpose: To describe patterns of menthol/non-menthol cigarettes with flavored e-cigarettes (tobacco, menthol, sweet/spicy, and other flavorings) use.

Design: We used cross-sectional data from the 2018-2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS).

Setting: United States.

Subjects: Adults over 18 years old.

Sample: A nationally representative sample (n = 135 329).

Measures: We generated a 15-category variable of all combinations of cigarette and e-cigarette flavoring use.

Analysis: We estimated population prevalence (PP) for the 15-category flavored cigarette and e-cigarette use variable and proportion of flavored cigarette and e-cigarette use among adults who used cigarettes or e-cigarettes (PAU) by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and income.

Results: Exclusive menthol cigarette use was higher among NH Black (PP = 8.79%, PAU = 68.96%) and low-income (PP = 4.86%, PAU = 29.09%) compared to NH White (PP = 2.63%, PAU = 18.83%) and high-income participants (PP = 1.25%, PAU = 19.02%). Exclusive sweet/spicy e-cigarette use (PP = 1.32%, PAU = 10.22%) and exclusive menthol e-cigarette use (PP = .95%, PAU = 7.40%) was higher in younger (18-34) vs older (35+) adults (PP = .34% and PAU = 2.76%, and PP = .14%, PAU = 1.11%, respectively). Older dual users tended to combine the same flavor in both products (eg, menthol cigarettes + menthol e-cigarettes), while younger adults were more likely to combine menthol and non-menthol cigarettes with sweet/spicy e-cigarettes.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that a menthol cigarette ban might be most effective in conjunction with sweet/spicy e-cigarette flavor restrictions, given these flavors are attractive for younger adults.
Keywords
  • flavored tobacco products,
  • health disparities,
  • patterns of tobacco use,
  • population health,
  • tobacco control
Publication Date
November, 2022
DOI
10.1177/08901171221097682
Citation Information
Zavala-Arciniega L, Hirschtick JL, Meza R, Fleischer NL. Flavoring Patterns of Exclusive and Dual-Use of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes Among US Adults: Results from the TUS-CPS 2018-2019. Am J Health Promot. 2022;36(8):1339-1345. doi:10.1177/08901171221097682