A Prospective Cohort Study of Cigarette Prices and Smoking Cessation in Older Smokers

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of population-level interventions to tackle smoking behaviour

This preregistered systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD 42022311392) aimed to synthesize the effectiveness of all available population-level tobacco policies on smoking behaviour. Our search across 5 databases and leading organizational websites resulted in 9,925 records, with 476 studies meeting our inclusion criteria. In our narrative summary and both pairwise and network meta-analyses, we identified anti-smoking campaigns, health warnings and tax increases as the most effective tobacco policies for promoting smoking cessation. Flavour bans and free/discounted nicotine replacement therapy also showed statistically significant positive effects on quit rates. The network meta-analysis results further indicated that smoking bans, anti-tobacco campaigns and tax increases effectively reduced smoking prevalence. In addition, flavour bans significantly reduced e-cigarette consumption. Both the narrative summary and the meta-analyses revealed that smoking bans, tax increases and anti-tobacco campaigns were associated with reductions in tobacco consumption and sales. On the basis of the available evidence, anti-tobacco campaigns, smoking bans, health warnings and tax increases are probably the most effective policies for curbing smoking behaviour.

Tabagismo em idosos

Introdução: o tabagismo é um grave problema de saúde pública em âmbito mundial que afeta a todas as faixas etárias, causando altas taxas de morbimortalidade evitáveis.Objetivo: descrever o que vem sendo publicado sobre o tabagismo na população idosa nos últimos cinco anos na esfera internacional.Metodologia: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, onde foram realizadas buscas de artigos nas seguintes bases de dados: PUBMED/MEDLINE, BVS/LILACS, SCOPUS e SCIELO, utilizando os seguintes Descritores em Ciências da Saúde em inglês: “Tobacco Use Cessation” OR “Tobacco Use Disorder” AND “Health of the Elderly” OR “Aged” OR “Aged, 80 and over”. O recorte temporal foi de 2016 a 2020.Resultados: dos 1.642 trabalhos recuperados das bases, houve o afunilamento para um número total de 18 artigos, com a seguinte categorização: mortalidade e outros desfechos clínicos negativos (5); o tabagismo, as síndromes geriátricas e outras patologias (4); políticas públicas para o controle do tabaco (3); qualidade de vida e tabagismo (3); e fatores preditores para cessação tabágica (3).Conclusões: apenas um estudo selecionado foi realizado no Brasil, ressaltando a necessidade de mais estudos brasileiros envolvendo o tabagismo na população idosa objetivando uma melhor compreensão dos aspectos envolvidos e futuras capacitações e otimização de políticas públicas específicas.

Association Between Social Isolation and Smoking in Japan and England

BACKGROUND

Existing evidence suggest that those who are socially isolated are at risk for taking up or continuing smoking. This study investigated country-based differences in social isolation and smoking status.

METHODS

We performed a repeated cross-sectional study using two waves of data from two ongoing aging studies: the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study. Participants from both studies aged ≥65 years were included. We applied a multilevel Poisson regression model to examine the association between social isolation and smoking status and adjusted for individual sociodemographic characteristics. We used the social isolation index which comprises the following domains: marital status; frequency of contact with friends, family, and children; and participation in social activities. Interaction terms between each country and social isolation were also entered into the mode.

RESULTS

After exclusion of never smokers, we analyzed 75,905 participants (7,092 for ELSA and 68,813 for JAGES, respectively). Taking ex-smokers as the reference, social isolation was significantly associated with current smoking; the prevalence ratios (PRs) were 1.06 (95% credible interval [CrI], 1.05-1.08) for men and 1.08 (95% CrI, 1.04-1.11) for women. Taking Japan as a reference, the interaction term between country and social isolation was significant for both sexes, with increased PRs of 1.32 (95% CrI, 1.14-1.50) for men and 1.30 (95% CrI, 1.11-1.49) for women in England.

CONCLUSIONS

Older people who were less socially isolated were more likely to quit smoking in England than in Japan, possibly explained by the strict tobacco control policies in England.

Tobacco Price Increase and Successful Smoking Cessation for Two or More Years in Japan

INTRODUCTION

Assessing long-term smoking cessation after tobacco price increases is more valuable than short-term cessation as smokers often relapse after temporary cessation. We investigated whether tobacco price increases were associated with long-term smoking cessation and whether the association differed according to demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors, using a national longitudinal survey of middle-aged individual-level data from 10 waves, every November from 2005 to 2014.

METHODS

Temporary and long-term at least 1 year (1y+) or 2 years (2y+) quitters were defined by smoking in any one wave and quitting in the subsequent two or three waves in a discrete-time design. November 2006 (after July 11% increase) and November 2010 (after October 37% increase) were used as proxy variables for price increases. Generalized estimating equation models adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral covariates, and analyses stratified by these covariates were performed to estimate the association between price increases and smoking cessation.

RESULTS

Of 43 630 smokers aged 50-65, 7.7%, 5.6%, and 5.2% of smokers quit temporarily, for at least 1 year and at least 2 years, respectively. 2y+ quitters significantly increased in November 2005-November 2008 (adjusted odds ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.43) and November 2009-November 2012 (adjusted odds ratio = 1.85, 95% confidence interval = 1.57-2.16). In stratified analyses, higher prices were associated with 2y+ quitters in all subgroups with some exceptions, including participants who smoked 21-30 cigarettes per day and those aged 60-65.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing tobacco prices may be effective in promoting long-term smoking cessation in various subgroups among middle-aged Japanese adults.

IMPLICATIONS

Few longitudinal studies have examined the effect of a tobacco price increase on long-term smoking cessation. In a national longitudinal survey of middle-aged Japanese from 10 waves, the 37% tobacco price increase was found to be a trigger for successful smoking cessation for two or more years. Price increases were significantly associated with 2y+ smoking cessation in most demographic, behavioral, and socioeconomic subgroups. Results indicate that higher tobacco prices may be effective for long-term smoking cessation in almost all subgroups. Raising tobacco taxes and prices may be one of the most effective strategies for promoting long-term smoking cessation.

Tobacco control policy and smoking among older Americans: An analysis of a nationally-representative longitudinal sample (1992-2014)

Smoking has decreased less rapidly among older adults than among the working age population in the United States. This study examines whether tobacco control policy, specifically smoke-free laws and increased cigarette prices, are associated with smoking cessation and lower smoking intensity among older adults. In addition, it considers whether the effect of smoke-free laws varied by labor force participation. Using geocoded longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement study collected from 1992 to 2014, I estimate survival models to evaluate the association between the implementation of city, county, and state smoke-free laws, changes in average state cigarette pack price, and smoking cessation among smokers. I then interact labor force status with smoke-free laws to assess whether the associations differ for retired versus employed respondents. Second, I estimate within-person fixed effects models to evaluate the association between the implementation of smoke-free laws, changes in average state cigarette pack price, and smoking intensity among smokers. Models were stratified by labor force status to assess whether the associations varied by labor force participation. All analyses were also stratified by age into younger (51-64) and older (65+) respondents. Neither the implementation of smoke-free laws nor increases in cigarette prices were associated with greater smoking cessation or lower smoking intensity. There was no evidence that labor force participation was associated with greater responsiveness to smoke-free laws. The results suggest that two of the most popular tobacco control policy tools in the US, smoke-free laws and cigarette prices, may be less effective among older adults.

Longitudinal Associations of Cigarette Prices With Smoking Cessation: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have used longitudinal cohort data to examine associations of cigarette prices with smoking cessation or whether price sensitivity varies by income or education. This study examines these associations in a multicenter US cohort and explores whether associations vary by education and income.

METHODS

Longitudinal data from baseline daily cigarette smokers aged 18-30 years in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study were linked to inflation-adjusted cigarette carton prices from the Council for Community and Economic Research Cost of Living Index based on residential address at baseline and in years 7, 10, and 15 (1985-2001). Multivariable Cox models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) of first (any) smoking cessation and sustained smoking cessation (no relapse) associated with each $1 increase in time-dependent cigarette price over 15 years of follow-up. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic, health-related, and policy covariates. We assessed effect modification by education and household income.

RESULTS

Among 1489 participants, a $1.00 higher cigarette carton price was associated with a 16% higher likelihood of first smoking cessation (HR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.21) and an 8% higher likelihood of sustained smoking cessation (HR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.14). Associations were strongest among participants with lower income for first cessation, and among those with higher income for sustained cessation. Associations were strongest for participants with less than a high school degree for both outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest higher cigarette prices promote smoking cessation among young to middle-aged adults, and that price sensitivity may differ by socioeconomic status.

IMPLICATIONS

Few studies have examined longitudinal associations of cigarette prices with smoking cessation, and findings are mixed on whether price sensitivity varies by education or income. In a cohort of US adult daily smokers, cigarette prices were associated with greater likelihood of both a first cessation and sustained cessation. Price associations with first cessation were stronger among low-income smokers, but associations with sustained cessation were stronger among high-income smokers. Results suggest that although higher cigarette prices may promote short-term smoking cessation among smokers at all income levels, additional supports may be needed to facilitate sustained smoking cessation among low-income smokers.

Receipt of direct tobacco mail/email coupons and coupon redemption: Demographic and socioeconomic disparities among adult smokers in the United States

A key marketing strategy used by tobacco companies to lower tobacco product prices is the distribution of tobacco coupons via direct marketing channels such as mail or email. We analyzed data on adult smokers from Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study (n = 10,994) to examine the prevalence and correlates of coupon receipt via both channels, and associations with cigarette coupon redemption. Overall, 22% and 32% of smokers received tobacco coupons via email and mail, respectively, and 22% redeemed cigarette coupons. White, 25-44 year old, female, sexual minority, and more nicotine dependent smokers were more likely to receive coupons via both channels and to redeem coupons, as were smokers with mid-levels education (GED to associate degree) and those unable to pay important bills (OR _{email receipt} = 1.37, 95% CI 1.22-1.54; OR _{mail receipt} = 1.38, 95% CI 1.24-1.55; and OR _{coupon redemption} = 1.44, 95% CI 1.26-1.64). Smokers who received coupons via mail only or via both channels, had three times (OR = 2.97, 95% CI 2.31-3.83) and five times (OR = 4.56, 95% CI 3.61-5.76) higher odds to redeem cigarette coupons compared to those who received them via email only. Major demographic and socioeconomic disparities exist in receipt and redemption of direct email\mail tobacco coupons among US smokers. Cigarette coupons received via direct mail are more likely to be redeemed than coupons received via email. Restrictions on tobacco coupon redemption, implemented jointly with increasing access to affordable cessation resources, may incentivize smokers vulnerable to tobacco marketing tactics to quit.

Long-term smoking cessation rates in elderly versus other adult smokers: A 3-year follow-up study in Taiwan

Introduction

Smoking cessation improves life expectancy at any age. There is some evidence that elderly smokers have at least as good a chance of successfully stopping as other smokers but direct comparisons with long-term follow up are rare. This study aimed to compare success rates up to 3 years in smokers aged 65+ versus other adult smokers with and without adjustment for a range of other smoker characteristics.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 1065 smokers who attended a stop-smoking clinic in Taiwan. Participants (896 < 65 years, 169 65+ years) were followed up by telephone 3, 6, 12 and 36 months after the initial quit date. Prolonged abstinence (abstinent at all follow-ups) and point prevalence abstinence (7 days prior to final follow up) were compared between ‘elderly’ participants aged 65+ years versus ‘non-elderly’ participants aged <65 years with and without adjustment for a range of baseline smoker characteristics (sex, educational level, previous quit attempts, cigarette dependence score). Non-responders were considered to be smoking.

Results

Prolonged 36-month abstinence rates were 20.1% (N = 34) and 15.3% (N = 137) in the elderly and non-elderly participants respectively (p = 0.137). Point prevalence 36-month abstinence rates were 37.3% (N = 63) and 26.5% (N = 237) in the elderly and non-elderly participants respectively (p = 0.005). The odds ratios comparing elderly versus non-elderly abstinence rates after adjustment for baseline variables were 1.17 (95%CI = 0.75–1.83) and 1.52 (95%CI = 1.05–2.20) for prolonged abstinence and point prevalence abstinence respectively.

Conclusions

Elderly smokers attending smoker clinics in Taiwan appear to be at least as likely to achieve long-term abstinence as other adult smokers.

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Prolonged 36-month abstinence rates were higher in the elderly group.

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Point prevalence 36-month abstinence rates were also higher in the elderly group. and non-elderly participants respectively.