The role of smokeless tobacco use in smoking persistence among male college students

Journal Article

Print(0)

The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Am.J.Drug Alcohol Abuse

541

546

LR: 20151029; GR: R01 CA141643/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States; JID: 7502510; NIHMS730141; OID: NLM: NIHMS730141 [Available on 11/01/16]; OID: NLM: PMC4623432 [Available on 11/01/16]; OTO: NOTNLM; PMCR: 2016/11/01 00:00; 2015/09/16 [aheadofprint]; ppublish

England

1097-9891; 0095-2990

PMID: 26375618

eng

Journal Article; Observational Study; IM

10.3109/00952990.2015.1078345 [doi]

Unknown(0)

26375618

BACKGROUND: Significant changes in the tobacco industry have led to heightened concern about co-use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco (SLT) products. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess whether male cigarette smokers who also used SLT products, in the first semester of their first year of college, were more or less likely than male cigarette smokers who did not use SLT products to still be smoking by the first semester of their senior year. METHODS: Using a longitudinal, observational study, we followed a cohort of undergraduate students from 11 four-year universities in North Carolina and Virginia through their college career. Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the likelihood of being a current smoker fall of senior year for male students who used both cigarettes and SLT at baseline, compared to those who only smoked cigarettes, after adjustment for potential confounders (n = 274). RESULTS: At baseline, 67.2% of participants were smoking cigarettes only (no SLT use) and 32.8% were dual users (cigarettes and SLT). A total of 62% were still smoking at senior year. Dual users were 30% more likely to be current smokers senior year compared to cigarette only users, although this difference was not statistically significant. Having at least one friend who smoked cigarettes and heavier cigarette smoking at baseline were significantly related to senior year smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support the argument that SLT use may help male college smokers discontinue their smoking habit. In fact, it may contribute to smoking persistence.

Wolfson,M., Suerken,C.K., Egan,K.L., Sutfin,E.L., Reboussin,B.A., Wagoner,K.G., Spangler,J.

a Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy .; b Department of Biostatistical Sciences , and.; a Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy .; a Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy .; b Department of Biostatistical Sciences , and.;

20150916

PMC4623432

http://vp9py7xf3h.search.serialssolutions.com/?charset=utf-8&pmid=26375618

2015