Cessation among smokers of "light" cigarettes: results from the 2000 national health interview survey.
OBJECTIVE
A large proportion of smokers erroneously believe that low-nicotine/low-tar cigarettes, also called "light cigarettes" or "lights," reduce health risks and are a rational alternative to smoking cessation. However, the availability of light cigarettes may deter smoking cessation.


METHODS
We analyzed the 32374 responses to the US 2000 National Health Interview Survey. Current and former smokers ("ever-smokers") were asked if they had ever used a lower tar and nicotine cigarette to reduce health risks. Multivariable logistic regression identified determinants of lights use and smoking cessation. Results were weighted to reflect the national population.


RESULTS
Of 12285 ever-smokers, 37% (N=4414) reported having used light cigarettes to reduce health risks. Current abstinence was less often reported by ever-smokers who had previously used light cigarettes than by ever-smokers who had never used lights (37% vs 53%, P<.01). Adjusted odds of cessation among ever-smokers who had used light cigarettes relative to those who had never used lights were reduced by 54% (adjusted odds ratio=0.46, 95% confidence interval=0.41, 0.51).


CONCLUSIONS
Use of light cigarettes was common and was associated with lower odds of current smoking cessation, validating the concern that smokers may use lights as an alternative to cessation.
Tindle
Hilary A
HA
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. tindleha@upmc.edu
Rigotti
Nancy A
NA
Davis
Roger B
RB
Barbeau
Elizabeth M
EM
Kawachi
Ichiro
I
Shiffman
Saul
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013638:Tars / Q000032:analysis; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000737:chemistry*; D019460:Tobacco Industry; D020340:Tobacco Use Cessation / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D013638:Tars; C024746:tobacco tar; D009538:Nicotine