Interest in Smokeless Tobacco Among Smokers Not Ready to Quit

Audience: Researchers and policy makers interested in non-cigarette tobacco.

Key Points: Non-cigarette tobacco products represent a potential but still controversial form of harm reduction.. Prior research on smokers’ perception of such products has generally 1) been based on limited sample sizes, 2) included narrow, unrepresentative populations of smokers, or 3) reported on limited range of consumer interest.  In what is the first randomized clinical trial of smokeless tobacco (SLT) among smokers in the U.S., we report on smoker interest in oral, spitless tobacco products.  Within an ongoing, nationwide trial of smokers not yet ready to quit (target N=1250), we assess attitudes towards SLT products (in general, not brand specific). Attitudes include 1) harmfulness of such products (in general, personally, and to others around you), 2) how such harms compare to conventional cigarette smoking, 3) purchasing interest, and 4) likely purpose of use (e.g., to reduce smoking, quit, and/or to circumvent smoking restrictions).  Results will be available for the August meeting. In addition to aggregate data for each outcome above, we anticipate sufficient sample size to explore potential sub-group analyses; i.e., to determine if certain groups of smokers (based on demographic, dependence variables) are more/less responsive to SLT products.

Educational Experience:  Findings will help guide clinical and policy recommendations for new tobacco products.  

Benefits: Smoker interest in non-cigarette tobacco will impact how new products are received, which will ultimately provide information for the likely impact of these products on long term smoking and overall public health.