title: Smokers' self-reported responses to the introduction of reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Changes in cigarette design to meet mandated fire safety standards may have unintended effects on smoker responses by diminishing the consumer's perceptions of product acceptability, smoking and increasing fire-risk behaviours. To address these concerns, population-level data are needed from a jurisdiction where reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes have been introduced.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of adult smokers was recruited in Massachusetts, U.S.A. using a random-digit-dialed telephone survey. The cohort was contacted prior to, and 8 months following, the state-mandated introduction of RIP cigarettes on 1 January 2008. Changes in self-reported subjective cigarette characteristics, smoking topography, fire-risk behaviours, fire events and quitting intentions were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 620 Massachusetts smokers completed the baseline survey conducted prior to implementation of the law, and 353 (57%) completed the follow-up survey conducted after implementation. No significant changes were found in self-reported fire-risk behaviour or quitting intentions. In addition, smokers were less likely to report smoking greater than 20 cigarettes per day and inhaling deeply into the chest after the law.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The introduction of RIP cigarettes in Massachusetts yielded little change, and no adverse effect, on self-reported smoker response, among a sample of mostly Caucasian smokers.
authors.affiliation: Center for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Landmark Center, Third Floor East, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. aseidenb@hsph.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Seidenberg
authors.forename: Vaughan W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: Hillel R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Alpert
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Gary A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Giovino
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hyland
authors.forename: Gregory N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Connolly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D055815:Young Adult