Butt Why? Exploring factors associated with cigarette scavenging behaviors among adult smokers enrolling in a clinical trial for smoking cessation

Measurement of cigarette relighting: A common but understudied behavior

OBJECTIVE

Relighting, i.e., extinguishing, saving, and later relighting and smoking unfinished cigarettes, appears prevalent, may be associated with nicotine dependence and negative health outcomes, yet is poorly understood. We estimate the prevalence, frequency, correlates of, and reasons for, cigarette relighting.

METHODS

Survey respondents (n=676) were 18-45-year-old US-based Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) participants who smoked cigarettes every/some days. Items assessed frequency of and reasons for relighting. Reported smoking sessions per day were compared to calculations based on reported cigarettes per day (CPD) and relighting frequency.

RESULTS

Seventy-two percent of those who smoked reported relighting cigarettes. Reasons included not having time to finish (77%), not feeling like finishing (75%), saving money or avoiding wasting (70%), and making cigarettes last longer (59%). Nearly half (44%) relight to cut down and 34% to reduce harm. Hispanic (OR=1.73, CI:1.03-2.91) and non-Hispanic Black respondents (OR= 2.23, CI:1.20-4.10) had higher odds of relighting than others, as did those who smoke within 30minutes of waking (OR=2.45, CI:1.33-4.52) or wake up at night to smoke (OR=2.40, CI:1.68-3.44) (all ps <0.05). Respondents demonstrated low consistency in reporting the number of times they smoke (first-lit and relit) compared to calculations based on CPD and relighting frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

Relighting is associated with race, ethnicity, nicotine dependence, and is often done to save money, cut down smoking, and reduce harm. Among those who relight, "smoking session" frequency seemed to be underestimated. Single item smoking frequency measures may not be ideal for individuals who smoke and relight.

The Impact of Cigarette Relighting on Nicotine Dependence and Smoking Cessation Treatment Outcome Measures Among Adults With Mood Disorders

INTRODUCTION

The number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) is a component of commonly used nicotine dependence measures and often used as a smoking cessation treatment outcome. Yet relighting (ie, smoking used cigarette butts) is not usually considered when CPD is assessed, which may underestimate nicotine dependence and result in an inaccurate picture of smoking behaviors.

AIMS AND METHODS

Data from a randomized controlled trial of a smoking cessation intervention were used. Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD), CPD, and the frequency of smoking (number of smoking episodes/day) assessed at baseline and 3-month follow-up were used.

RESULTS

Participants were 49 adults with mood disorders who smoke daily receiving outpatient psychiatric treatment. At baseline, 27 (55.1%) participants reported relighting cigarettes, and 6 (27.3%) of those who did not report relighting at baseline reported relighting at 3-month follow-up. Replacing CPD with the frequency of smoking to recalculate the total FTCD score increased the score for 21 participants (43%). The mean FTCD scores increased from 4.61 to 5.16, from a classification of low to medium dependence, and 16 participants (33%) moved up in the dependence classification. Of the 31 participants who reported a >=50% reduction in CPD at 3-month follow-up, 5 (16%) did not achieve the outcome of >=50% reduction in the frequency of smoking per day.

CONCLUSIONS

In this sample of adults with mood disorders who smoke, over half reported relighting cigarettes. Results underscore the importance of incorporating the frequency of smoking/relighting when assessing nicotine dependence and patterns of smoking behaviors in high-risk populations.

IMPLICATIONS

This is the first study to investigate the patterns of relighting behavior and its impact on nicotine dependence and smoking cessation treatment outcome measures among treatment-seeking adults with mood disorders who smoke. The majority were relighting, and over a quarter of those who did not report relighting at baseline subsequently reported relighting in the context of a quit attempt. The findings demonstrate that overlooking relighting may underestimate nicotine dependence and overestimate the rates of those who have made meaningful changes in smoking behavior. Incorporating the frequency of smoking/relighting may help to more accurately capture nicotine dependence and patterns of smoking behavior among high-risk populations.

Correlates of smoking discarded cigarettes in a sample of low-income adults

INTRODUCTION

Unconventional smoking behaviors such as smoking used or discarded cigarettes may increase the risk of nicotine dependence and exposure to toxins. To better understand low-income smokers who smoke discarded cigarettes and to inform effective tobacco cessation strategies, the current study examined potential correlates not considered in prior studies.

METHODS

This secondary analysis examined baseline data from 1936 low-income smokers participating in a randomized cessation trial. To assess smoking discarded cigarettes, participants were asked: "In the past 30 days, have you smoked what's left of a cigarette that someone else left behind?" Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression were used to explore associations between smoking discarded cigarettes and social needs, social environment, mental and physical health, other smoking-related behaviors, and demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

One in six participants reported smoking discarded cigarettes. Younger smokers, men, smokers with lower incomes and those who were not employed were more likely to smoke discarded cigarettes. Other correlates included having unmet social needs (transportation, food, housing, physical safety, and neighborhood safety), living with other smokers, worse mental health, greater perceived stress, heavier smoking, using other tobacco products, and bumming cigarettes from others. In a multivariable model, income, social environment, and other smoking behaviors emerged as significant correlates.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to financial hardship, mental health, and nicotine dependence, the social needs, social environment, and other smoking behaviors of low-income smokers are important correlates of smoking discarded cigarettes. Future research to understand and address tobacco health disparities should examine these relationships longitudinally.

A text message delivered smoking cessation intervention: Design and rationale of the Text My Quit Study

INTRODUCTION

Smoking cessation interventions delivered through mobile technologies offer promise as an effective intervention tool. However, most existing programs have not been empirically tested, were not developed with end-user participation, and/or do not address evidence-based cognitive and behavioral variables shown to enhance smoking cessation in clinical trials. In addition, many programs tested in research trials have required users to access the internet and/or a smartphone app to access all program features, limiting the potential reach of those programs.

METHODS/DESIGN

This study is a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of the TMQ intervention for smoking cessation. All participants are randomly assigned to receive 12 weeks of either; (1) a tailored smoking-cessation intervention delivered 100% through text messaging (TMQ), or (2) non-smoking-related text messages serving as a control for contact and subject burden (Mojo). Assessments are conducted at baseline, 3- and 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome is prolonged abstinence using an intent-to-treat approach. To understand why TMQ may be more effective than Mojo, we will test several posited mechanisms of action (i.e., mediators) that may underlie intervention efficacy and will examine use of the TMQ integrated social support (ISS) network. At the end of treatment, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with TMQ participants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will provide a rigorous test of an innovative smoking cessation program delivered 100% through text messages. Use of mixed methodologies will provide the opportunity to enhance our understanding of the user's experience with TMQ and identify areas for future enhancement and/or expansion.

Combustible Cigarette Smoking and Alternative Tobacco Use in a Sample of Youth Transitioning from Foster Care

Among the struggles faced by youth currently in or recently exiting foster care, tobacco use remains a low priority for practitioners and researchers, alike. Indeed, despite the dramatically altered landscape of tobacco products on the market, there have been no studies evaluating the use of alternative tobacco products among this vulnerable population. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of lifetime and current combustible and non-combustible tobacco use among youth exiting foster care, and report on the prevalence of nicotine dependence, motivation to quit, and preferred methods of tobacco cessation. Youth aged 18-24 (M = 20.13, SD = 1.16) who were transitioning from foster care (N = 154) completed a survey of tobacco product use adapted from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Baseline Survey. Most participants (76%) reported lifetime use of combustible cigarettes, while almost half (42%) were current combustible cigarette smokers. Current use of electronic cigarettes was comparable to general population rates. Many participants (76%) reported interest in quitting and willingness to try through patches/gum (56%) and technology-based (61%) approaches. Youth exiting foster care are at high risk for smoking and other tobacco product use, as well as dependence, yet are rarely screened for use or advised to quit. As tobacco use remains among the most preventable causes of mortality and morbidity, future work should involve implementation of screening within child welfare and tailoring interventions to the unique needs of this population. The current results underscore a missed opportunity to promote public health in a vulnerable population.