Search

AbstractIntroduction: Many people who smoke cigarettes report believing that nicotine causes cancer, a misperception that may reduce interest in switching to noncombustible nicotine products. Quantitative survey questions do not capture how this population thinks about nicotine and switching to noncombustible products. Methods: This study used an online convenience sample of 193 US adults who smoke cigarettes and reported that nicotine causes cancer. Respondents were asked if they thought nicotine was harmful (and why or why not) and if they would consider switching to a noncombustible product (and why or why not). Inductive and deductive coding were used, and descriptive statistics are reported. Results: Descriptions of nicotine directly causing disease (61%) were more common than descriptions of nicotine causing addiction to a harmful product (8%). One-third expressly stated that nicotine causes cancer, and 21% that nicotine causes lung disease. Interest in switching was moderate (mean 47.4 out of 100). When asked about switching, 34% described enjoying their current smoking experience, 23% described a perceived health benefit, 16% described a health concern, and 11% worried that switching would not address nicotine addiction. Discussion: Adults who smoke commonly perceived nicotine as a direct cause of cigarette-related disease, and harm and addictiveness perceptions were often mentioned as reasons for interest or disinterest in switching to a noncombustible. Future studies could explore strategies for correcting nicotine misperception, stigma related to addiction, and common concerns related to health as well as user experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) contain a crystalized nicotine powder instead of tobacco leaves. ONPs come in a variety of flavors and are often marketed as "tobacco-free," but research on ONP use-motivations and related experiences is limited. Aims and Methods This cross-sectional web-based survey collected self-report data on ONP use-characteristics (eg, frequency), brands and flavors used, use-motivations, dependence (Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence-Smokeless Tobacco [FTND-ST]), and ONP-related adverse events (AEs) experienced. Results The sample included 118 adults who reported current (past 30-day) ONP use. On average (SD), participants reported ONP use on 13 (6) days during the past month. Most participants (% of the sample) also reported the use of tobacco cigarettes (74%) and/or electronic cigarettes (53%) during the past month. Zyn (27%) and Lucy (19%) were the most currently used ONP brands with mint (23%) and tobacco (16%) as the most currently used flavors. The availability of preferred flavors was the most frequently reported (31%) ONP use-motivation. The sample demonstrated significant dependence levels (FTND-ST = 7, SD = 2). Reported AEs included mouth lesions (48%), upset stomach (39%), sore mouth (37%), sore throat (21%), and nausea (9%). Results should be interpreted in the context of study limitations, including using a relatively small and homogeneous online convenience sample. Acknowledging the limitations, this sample was deemed appropriate to include considering the novelty of the findings, the dearth of related research, and the necessity of examining foundational ONP use-characteristics (eg, topography, AEs); however, future research should consider recruiting larger and more generalizable samples. Conclusions The availability of preferred flavors was a key ONP use-motivation in this sample. Mint and tobacco were the most currently used flavors, with Zyn and Lucy being the most currently used ONP brands. Participants reported dependence and a substantial number of ONP-related AEs. Nationally representative surveys should investigate ONP use along with outcomes included in the current study (eg, AEs) to inform ONP surveillance and policy development efforts. Implications This study is among the first to assess reasons for initiating/maintaining ONP use as well as other relevant use-experiences (eg, AEs, dependence). These results highlight the role of flavors and nicotine dependence in ONP use, which are important considerations for informing ONP regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) and liquid characteristics affect nicotine and toxicant exposure and use behaviors. Little is known about how adults who frequently use ENDS transition between ENDS device/liquid groupings. METHODS A total of 379 US adults (≥21 years) using ENDS frequently (≥5 days/ week) self-reported and uploaded photos of their most used ENDS device and liquid in three waves of online surveys (May 2020 -- November 2021). Device/ liquid grouping was defined by device (i.e. disposable/refillable tank/refillable pod or cartridge/disposable pod or cartridge, adjustable/no adjustable settings) and liquid (i.e. salt/freebase) characteristics. Participants using the same grouping across waves were considered stable users. RESULTS The most prevalent wave (W) 1 grouping was tank (freebase, adjustable settings; 36.8%). From W1 to W3, the number of disposable device (salt, no adjustable settings) users increased 156.4% and the number of disposable pod/cartridge (salt, no adjustable settings) users decreased 15.2%. In W2 and W3, compared to stable users, participants using tank (freebase, adjustable settings) in W1 and another grouping in W2 and/or W3 reported significantly higher nicotine concentrations (mg/mL) (W2: 15.1 vs 5.5, p<0.001; W3: 22.9 vs 5.6, p<0.001) and lower device power (watt) (W2: 46.8 vs 58.7, p=0.02; W3: 34.0 vs 57.2, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Over a 1.5-year period, a rapid growth in disposable device (salt, no adjustable settings) use and a decrease in disposable pod/cartridge (salt, no adjustable settings) use were observed. Participants who transitioned from tank (freebase, adjustable settings) to other groupings were more likely to increase liquid nicotine concentration and reduce device power compared to stable users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tobacco retailers are a key target audience for tobacco product advertising, yet little is known about the messages and channels used to market electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) to retailers. Methods: We assessed expenditures for business‐to‐business print advertising for ENDS in the United States, by year and by advertiser, from 2015 to 2020; and the content of advertisements placed in 2020. Results: The total number of ENDS brands placing business‐to‐business advertisements declined from 45 in 2015 to 6 in 2020; spending declined from $2.6 million in 2015 (for 283 occurrences) to $492,789 in 2020 (69 occurrences). Across years, the top‐spending advertisers were Logic ($1.9 million), blu ($1.0 million), JUUL ($625,050), NJOY ($373,126) and Vuse ($322,075). Common messages of advertisements placed in 2020 included that products are not intended for minors; brand market share; health warnings; profitability or revenue potential for retailers; and flavours. Discussion: This study suggests that ENDS companies anticipate that ENDS retailers are interested in stocking products that maximise profits, appeal to consumers and comply with regulatory requirements. Declines in the number of advertisers mirror the overall consolidation of the ENDS industry that occurred during the study period. Conclusions: Business‐to‐business print advertising represents an important channel in which ENDS brands communicate a variety of messages about their products directly to potential retailers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION TikTok, the video-sharing app popular among youth, is a source of user-generated content about nicotine addiction with the potential to endorse or deter nicotine use among young viewers. We systematically analyzed content and themes of TikTok posts tagged #nicotineaddiction. METHODS We conducted a quantitative content analysis of the visual and textual content of the 149 top-viewed English-language TikTok posts tagged #nicotineaddiction as of 1 March 2021. Posts were double-coded using a shared codebook, noting content creator characteristics, nicotine products featured, references to quitting, and overall themes of #nicotineaddiction expressed. We assessed the prevalence of post characteristics and themes overall and by apparent age of content creators (aged ≥21 years versus <21 years). RESULTS The 149 posts analyzed received a mean and median of 62433 and 15800 likes, respectively. E-cigarettes were referenced or featured in 75% of posts; 58% featured a specific nicotine product brand, most commonly Puff Bar (23% of total) and JUUL (19%). Overall, 22% of posts mentioned quitting nicotine. The top themes of #nicotineaddiction expressed were physical or psychological consequences (e.g. withdrawal symptoms, 46%), physical or psychological benefits (e.g. tasting good, feeling 'buzzed', 28%), and social benefits (e.g. bonding with fellow users, 28%). Compared to those aged ≥21 years, posts by content creators likely <21 years (26%) less commonly mentioned quitting (p<0.01), had fewer followers (p<0.01), were more commonly from Canada (p<0.01) and less commonly from the US (p<0.01), and more commonly featured JUUL (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS While reaching a large and engaged audience, TikTok content creators suggest a range of benefits and consequences of nicotine addiction. Future research is warranted to examine this content's potential to influence young people's intentions to use or quit nicotine products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An information technology governance (ITG) program has helped the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center (CC) in the implementation of many systems and has guided the organization through the maturity of its project management methodology. The NIHCC Department of Clinical Research Informatics (DCRI) maintains an electronic health record (EHR) called the clinical research information system (CRIS) along with many clinical information systems (CIS) and research information systems, supporting approximately 3,200 users. ITG involves establishing processes to guide the review, selection, implementation, management, and setting of the IT strategy representing the business owners, stakeholders, and IT.1 Research conducted by Levstek, Hovelja, and Pucihar2 identified that different organizations may need different ITG structures, frameworks, and strategies. The path to achieving strong ITG is a continuous journey. This paper reviews the evolution of the NIHCC IT governance strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Past 30-day e-cigarette use increased by 78% among high school students from 2017 to 2018, an increase attributable to pod-style devices. JUUL Labs (JUUL) insists they do not market their product to teenagers. We created several scenarios to estimate the percentages of JUUL's net revenue from adults and youth in the US in 2018. METHODS We used the number of youth (aged 12-17 years) and adults (aged >18 years) who reported using JUUL in the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study wave 4 (Dec 2016-Jan 2018) to estimate the youth proportion of JUUL users. As a sensitivity analysis, we also used data from the nationally representative Truth Longitudinal Cohort (TLC) study to estimate the youth proportion of JUUL users. Based on this percentage, we then applied several scenarios to estimate JUUL's net revenue from youth in the US in 2018. results From the PATH Study, 31% of JUUL users were youth (aged 12-17 years). In the TLC study, 30% of current JUUL users were aged 15-17 years. Given that JUUL's net revenue was $1.3 billion in 2018, we calculated that JUUL made between $130 million and $650 million of its net revenue from youth, depending on consumption scenarios. CONCLUSIONS A substantial proportion of JUUL's profits in 2018 were a result of use by youth. It could be required that all e-cigarette companies actively ensure that use by youth is below a pre-determined small fraction of their sales, requiring that a high penalty be paid by those that fail to do so. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION In recent years, tobacco control policy initiatives have emerged at the subnational level in China. In 2013, for example, Qingdao enacted a 100% smoke- free policy that gave regulatory authority to multiple enforcement agencies. Given that little is known about the extent of smoke-free policy compliance in smaller Chinese cities, this study assessed compliance with Qingdao's Tobacco Control Regulation and whether compliance differed by enforcement agency. METHODS A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken between October and November 2018. Venues were selected based on enforcement agency and included restaurants, retail stores, schools, government buildings, hospitals, business offices, and other hospitality venues. Comprehensive lists of venues were identified where they existed, and a random sample of venues were subsequently selected. For venue categories for which there were no comprehensive lists, a walking protocol was used. Observational data included evidence of smoking, the presence of no-smoking signage, and designated smoking areas (DSAs). Descriptive statistics were obtained. Subsequently, logistic regression models were used to determine the association between enforcement agency and policy compliance. RESULTS A total of 694 venues were observed. For all venue types, 64.7% were compliant with the composite indicator 'evidence of smoking'. Findings also showed that smoke-free compliance varied by enforcement agency (p<0.001). Venues with evidence of smoking and not posting of no-smoking signs at the main entrance were lowest among venues that fall under Public Security Bureau. Compliance with posting no-smoking signs inside was lowest in venues that fall under the Industry and Commercial Administration (I&C). While Qingdao's smoke-free policy prohibits DSAs, our findings showed that 2% of venues that fall under the jurisdiction of I&C had DSAs. CONCLUSIONS An effective coordination mechanism that can ensure a consistent and standardized approach is urgently needed in Qingdao. With such a concerted effort, it will be possible to achieve the target of 100% smoke-free indoor places in Qingdao. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]