Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Other Risk Factors for Using Higher-Nicotine/Tar-Yield (Regular Full-Flavor) Cigarettes.
BACKGROUND
Use of machine-estimated higher nicotine/tar yield (regular full-flavor) cigarettes is associated with increased risk of nicotine dependence. The present study examined risk factors for using full-flavor versus other cigarette types, including socioeconomic disadvantage and other risk factors for tobacco use or tobacco-related adverse health impacts. Associations between use of full-flavor cigarettes and risk of nicotine dependence were also examined.


METHODS
Data were obtained from nationally representative samples of adult cigarette smokers from the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Logistic regression and classification and regression tree modeling were used to examine associations between use of full-flavor cigarettes and educational attainment, poverty, race/ethnicity, age, sex, mental illness, alcohol abuse/dependence, and illicit drug abuse/dependence. Logistic regression was used to examine risk for nicotine dependence.


RESULTS
Each of these risk factors except alcohol abuse/dependence independently predicted increased odds of using full-flavor cigarettes (p < .001), with lower educational attainment the strongest predictor, followed by poverty, male sex, younger age, minority race/ethnicity, mental illness, and drug abuse/dependence, respectively. Use of full-flavor cigarettes was associated with increased odds of nicotine dependence within each of these risk factor groupings (p < .01). Cart modeling identified how prevalence of full-flavor cigarette use can vary from a low of 25% to a high of 66% corresponding to differing combinations of these independent risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of full-flavor cigarettes is overrepresented in socioeconomically disadvantaged and other vulnerable populations, and associated with increased risk of nicotine dependence. Greater regulation of this cigarette type may be warranted.


CONCLUSIONS
Greater regulation of commercially available Regular Full-Flavor Cigarettes may be warranted. Use of this type of cigarette is overrepresented in socioeconomically disadvantaged and other vulnerable populations and associated with increased risk for nicotine dependence.
Vermont Center on Tobacco Regulatory Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.|Departments of Psychiatry and Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
Stephen T
ST
Higgins
Vermont Center on Tobacco Regulatory Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.|Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL.
Ryan
R
Redner
Vermont Center on Tobacco Regulatory Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.|Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
Jeff S
JS
Priest
Vermont Center on Tobacco Regulatory Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.|Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
Janice Y
JY
Bunn
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D013649:Taste; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D005421:Flavoring Agents; D009538:Nicotine