Correlates of current menthol cigarette and flavored other tobacco product use among U.S. young adults

Jessica M. Rath, Andrea C. Villanti, Valerie F. Williams, Amanda Richardson, Jennifer L. Pearson, Donna M. Vallone

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Flavored and menthol tobacco products are particularly appealing to young adults. However, little is known about factors associated with their use in this population. Purpose: To examine characteristics associated with using menthol cigarettes, flavored other tobacco products (OTP), and flavored e-cigarettes among young adults. Methods: Using a nationally representative online sample of young adults (n = 4239) from the Truth Initiative Young Adult Cohort Study, mutually exclusive groups were created from the subset of current tobacco users (N = 1037) for users of menthol cigarettes (N = 311; 30%), non-menthol cigarettes (N = 426; 41%), flavored OTP only users (N = 114; 11%), and non-flavored OTP only users (N = 186; 18%) to examine factors of being in any one group. Data were collected in July 2012. Results: In the full multivariable model, significant correlates of current menthol cigarette use were female gender (AOR = 2.08), Black race (AOR = 5.31), other race (AOR = 2.72), Hispanic ethnicity (AOR = 2.46) and self-identifying as a smoker, social smoker, or occasional smoker (AOR = 10.42). Significant correlates of current flavored OTP use were younger age (18-24; AOR = 3.50), self-identifying as a smoker, social smoker, or occasional smoker (AOR = 30) and generalized anxiety (AOR = 0.30). Conclusions: This study highlights female gender, Blacks/other race/Hispanics, smokers, social smokers and sexual minorities as correlates of menthol cigarette use and younger age as a predictor of flavored OTP use. Restricting access to flavored tobacco products may be one intervention to help slow the tobacco epidemic, particularly among many of the most vulnerable groups-young women and racial and/or ethnic minorities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)35-41
Number of pages7
JournalAddictive Behaviors
Volume62
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2016

Keywords

  • Flavored tobacco products
  • Menthol cigarettes
  • Young adults

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Toxicology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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