title: Risk Perceptions of Little Cigar and Cigarillo Smoking Among Adult Current Cigarette Smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have examined the perceptions of risk of little cigar and cigarillo (LCC) smoking among cigarette smokers, which is important for expanding regulatory policies and developing prevention programs. We examined current cigarette smokers' perceived harm of LCC smoking, and determined whether these perceptions were associated with susceptibility and intention to continue smoking LCCs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were from the 2014 Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Survey of a probability sample of 5717 US adults. Data were analyzed for a subsample of 1191 current cigarette smokers who were stratified into three groups: (1) dual current cigarette smokers who had ever used LCCs, (2) current smokers susceptible to LCC smoking, and (3) current smokers who were not susceptible to LCC smoking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 47.2% of participants were dual smokers, 12.7% were susceptible to LCC smoking, and 40.1% were not susceptible. Perceptions of risk of LCCs varied across the groups. Dual smokers were more likely to perceive that daily LCC smoking is "very risky" (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.08, 2.41) while occasional LCC smoking is only "somewhat risky" (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.02, 2.87). Of the dual smokers, 20.7% intended to continue smoking LCCs in the future. Perceptions of addiction and risk of daily LCC smoking significantly predicted intention to continue LCC smoking. Addiction perceptions also significantly predicted susceptibility to initiate LCC smoking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceptions about harms from and addiction to LCCs could predict future LCC smoking. Health communication campaigns need to address the harms of LCCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that perceptions of risk about the addictiveness of LCCs and frequency of use are important determinants of the LCC smoking susceptibility among some cigarette smokers and intended continued use among cigarette smokers with a history of LCC use. Health communication campaigns should address misperceptions related to LCCs.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.|Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS), School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Kymberle L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Sterling
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS), School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Ban A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Majeed
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS), School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nyman
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS), School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eriksen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000074285:Smokers / Q000523:psychology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult