Prevalence, correlates of, and reasons for using roll-your-own tobacco in a high RYO use country: findings from the ITC New Zealand survey.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence, correlates of, and reasons for use of roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco in a high RYO use and ethnically diverse country: New Zealand (NZ).


METHODS
The NZ arm of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Survey (ITC Project) is sampled from the New Zealand Health Survey, with boosted sampling of Māori, Pacific peoples, and Asian New Zealanders. We surveyed 1,376 current adult smokers using standard ITC project procedures in 2007-2008.


RESULTS
Prevalence of regularly smoking RYOs was 53% (with 38% of all smokers being exclusive RYO smokers). RYO use was higher among disadvantaged smokers, heavier smokers, those with a relatively low intention of quitting, and those with more friends who smoke. RYO use increased more in the youngest age groups as disadvantage increased. "Lower price" dominated the reasons smokers' cited for smoking RYOs (at 83%). About one fifth cited "less health concerns" as a reason.


CONCLUSIONS
RYO smoking is particularly associated with individual deprivation and high levels of dependence. Its capacity to blunt price signals provided by tobacco taxes is accompanied by misperceptions that it is less hazardous to health and it is particularly prevalent among vulnerable disadvantaged populations (including Māori, young people, and those with mental health problems). Governments should reconsider removing any tax advantages given to RYO tobacco, ensure RYO smokers are properly informed of health risks, and supported to quit as strongly as other smokers. However, governments should also examine a broader range of options including a higher differential tax on RYO tobacco, removing flavors, and controlling all tobacco marketing.
Young
David
D
Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Council Victoria, 100 Drummond Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia. david.young@cancervic.org.au
Wilson
Nick
N
Borland
Ron
R
Edwards
Richard
R
Weerasekera
Deepa
D
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult; D014026:Nicotiana