The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67945

Michelle M. O'Hegarty, PhD, ORISE Fellow, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking & Health, 4770 Buford Highway, N.E Mailstop K-50, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, 770/488-5582, mroland@cdc.gov, Patricia Richter, PhD, Office on Smoking & Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, N.E Mailstop K-50, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, and Linda Pederson, PhD, Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop K-50, Atlanta, GA 30341.

During April 2002,16 focus groups were conducted with Caucasian and African-American young adult (18-22 years old) smokers in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Caucasian and Hispanics in Dallas, Texas. The purpose of the focus groups was to obtain in-dept, qualitative information about attitudes and behavior regarding non-traditional products such as bidis, herbal cigarettes, and clove cigarettes (kreteks). Separate focus groups were held for undergraduate college students and young adults not currently in college. Preliminary finds from the focus groups suggest that there were no racial or gender differences in reasons for trying non-traditional products. The majority of the participants stated that they used non-traditional products at parties, clubs and special occasions, and that daily use was rare. Non-traditional products were used by some as substitutions for cigarettes. Swisher Sweets were also used to hide and assist in the use of illegal drugs such as marijuana among African-American and Caucasian participants. Reasons stated for continual use of non-traditional products included smell, taste, strength, longer lasting than traditional cigarettes, cost and convenience. Participants who continued to use the products commented that they currently use more than one of the products. Findings from the complete set of focus groups will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will obtain in-dept qualitative information from smokers about their perceptions of non-traditional tobacco products such as shisha, bidis, kreteks, cigars (Swisher Sweets and Black & Milds), and herbal non-tobacco smokeless products. To provide recommendations for developing health communication messages that may decreasing the use of these non-traditional products among young adults.

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.