title: Factors associated with smoking menthol cigarettes among treatment-seeking African American light smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking menthol cigarettes is more prevalent among African Americans (AA) compared to Whites. Menthol has been found to be inversely related to smoking cessation among AA, yet little is known about the factors associated with menthol smoking among AA light smokers. This study examines baseline demographic, psychological, and smoking factors associated with smoking menthol cigarettes among AA light smokers (≤10 cigarettes per day).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n=540) were enrolled in a double blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of bupropion in combination with health education counseling for smoking cessation. Bivariate differences between menthol and non-menthol smokers were explored and baseline factors associated with smoking menthol cigarettes were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants averaged 46.5 years in age, predominantly female (66.1%), and smoked an average of 8.0 cpd (SD=2.5). The majority (83.7%) smoked menthol cigarettes. In bivariate analysis, menthol cigarette smokers were younger (mean age: 45 vs. 52 years p<0.0001), were more likely to be female (68% vs. 52% p=0.003) and had smoked for shorter duration (28 vs. 34 years p<0.0001) compared to non-menthol smokers. While depression and withdrawal scores were slightly higher and exhaled carbon monoxide values were lower among menthol smokers, the differences were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among AA light smokers, younger individuals and females were more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes and may be more susceptible to the health effects of smoking. Appropriately targeted health education campaigns are needed to prevent smoking uptake in this high-risk population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. bfaseru@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Babalola
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faseru
authors.forename: Won S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krebill
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.forename: Nicole L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Nollen
authors.forename: Kolawole S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Okuyemi
authors.forename: Jasjit S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ahluwalia
authors.forename: Lisa Sanderson
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Cox
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008610:Menthol; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology; D014026:Nicotiana
chemical_list: D008610:Menthol; D002248:Carbon Monoxide