1. Prevalence and perceptions of flavour capsule cigarettes among adults who smoke in Brazil, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Mexico: findings from the ITC surveys.
- Author
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Kyriakos CN, Erinoso O, Driezen P, Thrasher JF, Katanoda K, Quah ACK, Tabuchi T, Perez CA, Seo HG, Kim SY, Nordin ASA, Hairi FM, Fong GT, and Filippidis FT
- Subjects
- Adult, Humans, Female, Male, Mexico epidemiology, Malaysia epidemiology, Brazil epidemiology, Prevalence, Japan epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Flavoring Agents, Republic of Korea epidemiology, Smoking epidemiology, Tobacco Products
- Abstract
Introduction: The global market of flavour capsule cigarettes (FCCs) has grown significantly over the past decade; however, prevalence data exist for only a few countries. This study examined prevalence and perceptions of FCCs among adults who smoke across five countries., Methods: Cross-sectional data among adults who smoked cigarettes came from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project Surveys-Brazil (2016/2017), Japan (2021), Republic of Korea (2021), Malaysia (2020) and Mexico (2021). FCCs use was measured based on reporting one's usual/current brand or favourite variety has flavour capsule(s). Perceptions of the harmfulness of one's usual brand versus other brands were compared between those who used capsules versus no capsules. Adjusted logistic regression models examined correlates of FCC use., Results: There were substantial differences in the prevalence of FCC use among adults who smoke across the five countries: Mexico (50.3% in 2021), Republic of Korea (31.8% in 2021), Malaysia (26.5% in 2020), Japan (21.6% in 2021) and Brazil (6.7% in 2016/2017). Correlates of FCC use varied across countries. Capsule use was positively associated with being female in Japan and Mexico, younger age in Japan, Republic of Korea and Malaysia, high education in Brazil, Japan and Mexico, non-daily smoking in Republic of Korea, and having plans to quit in Japan and Republic of Korea. There was no consistent pattern of consumer perceptions of brand harmfulness., Conclusion: Our study documented the high prevalence of FCCs in some countries, pointing to the need to develop and implement regulatory strategies to control these attractive products., Competing Interests: Competing interests: JFT has served as paid expert witness in legal challenges against tobacco and vaping companies. ASAN has received an unconditional educational grant from Johnson & Johnson Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., KK received a JMWH Bayer Grant from Japan Society for Menopause and Women's Health. GF has been an expert witness or consultant for governments defending their country’s policies or regulations in litigation and served as a paid expert consultant to the Ministry of Health of Singapore in reviewing the evidence on plain/standardised packaging. All other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
- Published
- 2024
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