Consumer Perceptions of Dissolvable Tobacco Products

Tessman, Greta

Thursday, August 16, 2012: 10:30 AM

1501C (Kansas City Convention Center)

Ms. Greta Tessman, MA , Center for Tobacco Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD

Dr. Julia Kish-Doto, PhD , RTI International, Rockville, MD

Claudia Squire, MS , RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC

Peyton Williams, BS , RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC

Dr. Brian Southwell, PhD , RTI International

Annice Kim, PhD , RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC

Ms. Robin Johnson, BA , Center for Tobacco Products, U,S, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD

Sarah Evans, PhD , U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Tobacco Products, Rockville, MD

Conrad Choiniere, Ph.D. , Center for Tobacco Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to:

• Describe dissolvable tobacco products. • Identify similarities and differences between dissolvables and other forms of smokeless tobacco. • Describe initial findings from consumer perception research with youth and young adults. • Discuss future research questions resulting from consumer perception research.

Cross Cutting Program Area(s): Youth

Audience: This session is intended for local, state, and national level tobacco control organizations, public health professionals, practitioners, researchers, and youth advocates who are interested in learning more about dissolvable tobacco products.

Key Points: Tobacco companies have begun developing and marketing a new form of smokeless tobacco—dissolvable tobacco products. These products represent a new and emerging form of tobacco, with shape, taste, packaging, marketing, and intended use differing distinctly from traditional smokeless tobacco. While much is known about consumer perceptions of cigarettes and traditional forms of smokeless tobacco, little is known about what people think of dissolvable tobacco and how this may influence their use of these products.

Educational Experience: We report the findings from eighteen focus groups and twelve individual interviews held in three U.S. cities in Winter 2011/2012. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with adolescent (ages 15-17) and young adult (18-25) tobacco users, including several participants who were current or former users of dissolvable products. We describe consumer knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and risk perceptions related to dissolvable tobacco products, packaging, and marketing. In addition to exploring themes that emerged from this research, implications for future research around novel tobacco products will be discussed.

Benefits: In order to help us better understand the nature and potential public health impact of dissolvables, we need to learn more about consumer perceptions of these novel products. This presentation reports initial findings of consumer perceptions among youth and young adults and highlights areas for future research.