Effects of an aqueous extract of processed bidi tobacco on the growth of hamster tracheal epithelial cells

Youth attitudes and beliefs toward alternative tobacco products: cigars, bidis, and kreteks

Youth use of cigars, bidis, and kreteks has spread as youth cigarette use has declined. This study investigates young people's attitudes toward and beliefs about these alternative tobacco products. The study used data from a convenience sample survey of 5,016 7th-through 12th-grade students in Massachusetts. The cigar attitudes receiving the highest endorsement levels were that cigars smell good and are something different to try, whereas the item receiving the lowest endorsement was that cigars give you a goodbuzz. The most endorsed bidi attitudes were that bid is look like joints and are something different to try. For kreteks, the most endorsed items were that kreteks smell good and are something different to try. Multivariate analyses found that reporting that these products tasted, smelled good, or were something different to try predicted use. Because the study was conducted with a convenience sample in one state, results do not necessarily generalize.

Characteristics of users of cigars, bidis, and kreteks and the relationship to cigarette use

BACKGROUND

In the 1990s, youth use of alternative tobacco products including cigars, bidis, and kreteks increased. This article discusses the prevalence of youth use of cigars, bidis, and kreteks, and characteristics of users.

METHODS

The Cigar Use Reasons Evaluation (CURE)-a questionnaire assessing alternative tobacco use and associated attitudes and behaviors-was administered to middle and high school students from 12 school districts across Massachusetts.

RESULTS

Males were more likely to use all forms of alternative tobacco and females more likely to smoke cigarettes. Hispanics were less likely to smoke kreteks or use smokeless tobacco. Urban students were more likely to smoke bidis or use smokeless tobacco than suburban or rural youth. Most smokeless and alternative tobacco users were lifetime cigarette smokers. There was, however, a significant group of cigar smokers, associated with higher parental education, who were not current cigarette smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of alternative tobacco poses a risk to the success of tobacco control efforts. While many alternative tobacco users smoke cigarettes, some alternative tobacco users are current cigarette smokers. Cigar use thus constitutes a potential serious risk for youth who otherwise might not be exposed to tobacco.