Cigar Harm Beliefs and Associations with Cigar Use among Young Adults

Abstract

Background: Cigar use, including little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs) and large traditional cigars, continues to harm young adults. Research on harm beliefs about cigars, particularly large cigars, is sparse. The current study examined cigar harm beliefs and associations with cigar use. Methods: Data are from a 2019 survey of a young adult cohort study recruited in fall 2010. Participants were asked questions about their beliefs about the harm of LCC and large cigar use. Those reporting ever use of cigars were asked how frequently they inhale the smoke into their lungs. Results: Participants (N = 1910) were 51.9% female with a mean age of 26.7 (SD = 0.6). Ever cigar use was 44.2% for large cigars and 43% for LCCs. Compared to those who have never used large cigars or LCCs, those reporting ever use of large cigars or LCCs reported lower harm beliefs about inhaling harmful chemicals and becoming addicted (ps <.0001). Those who reported higher harm beliefs also reported inhaling the smoke into their lungs more frequently for large cigars and LCCs (ps<.05). Conclusions: Cigar use harm beliefs were lower among participants reporting ever use of cigars compared to those reporting never use. Contrary to predictions, those reporting greater harm beliefs were more likely to report inhaling smoke more frequently than those with lower harm beliefs.

Keywords:

• Cigars
• tobacco
• young adults

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

Research reported in this manuscript was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01CA141643. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.