Overall cigarette consumption in the US has declined by approximately 25% since 1990, whereas consumption of cigars has more than doubled. Existing indicators suggest this pattern will continue. A notable proportion of the consistent increase in cigar consumption in the US is attributable to small cigars. Given the decline in cigarette consumption, steady growth in cigar consumption, the price inequity between cigars and cigarettes, innovative cigar marketing, and the growing market of cigar products, the threat posed by cigars is real and deserves attention. Population groups that historically have not used cigars - youth, young adults, and females - constitute an increasing proportion of new cigar smokers. It is important that we remain vigilant and responsive to emerging trends. However, existing tobacco surveillance systems are limited in their ability monitor the growing problem of cigar use. Accordingly, we will: 1) conduct secondary data analyses to examine the influence of question non-uniformity on cigar smoking prevalence estimates, 2) develop and pretest new cigar use questions via cognitive interviews, and 3) test the effect of new survey items by conducing a split-sample New Jersey Adult Tobacco Survey. This proposed research project is highly relevant to public health because it will generate important knowledge that will improve the nation's tobacco use surveillance systems.
The aims of this research project are designed to better understand the causes of tobacco use, addiction, and tobacco related cancers by producing evidence that will facilitate a better understanding of the epidemiology of cigar use in the United States. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03CA119799-02
Application #
7259509
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCA1-SRRB-D (M1))
Program Officer
Hartman, Anne
Project Start
2006-07-01
Project End
2010-06-30
Budget Start
2007-07-01
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$83,370
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
150968910
City
New Brunswick
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08903
Delnevo, Cristine D; Hrywna, Mary; Giovenco, Daniel P et al. (2017) Close, but no cigar: certain cigars are pseudo-cigarettes designed to evade regulation. Tob Control 26:349-354
Delnevo, Cristine D; Bover-Manderski, Michelle T; Hrywna, Mary (2011) Cigar, marijuana, and blunt use among US adolescents: Are we accurately estimating the prevalence of cigar smoking among youth? Prev Med 52:475-6
Cullen, Jennifer; Mowery, Paul; Delnevo, Cristine et al. (2011) Seven-year patterns in US cigar use epidemiology among young adults aged 18-25 years: a focus on race/ethnicity and brand. Am J Public Health 101:1955-62