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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Joshua J. Terchek, BA¹, Elizabeth Larkin¹, Margaret Cox¹, and Scott Frank². (1) Department of Family Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4945, 216-368-9097, jjt7@case.edu, (2) Department of Epidemiology and Biostatisitcs, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4945

Despite increased attention in scientific literature, items commonly used to assess current cigar use have not been critically examined. This study compares two measures of current cigar use in adolescent samples. As part of a larger surveillance system, six schools were asked to complete the YRBS in 2002 and again in 2004. Identical questions covering current cigar use were asked with one notable difference. In 2004, the question, “During the past 30 days, on how many days did you smoke a cigar, cigarillo, or little cigar?” was amended to include the phrase, “such as Black and Milds”. Reported prevalence rates of both current cigarette use and current cigar use from 2002 and 2004 were compared. These rates were also compared to national prevalence rates reported in 2002 and 2004. Reported rates of current cigar use increased within our sample between 2002 and 2004. Reported rates for national data remained consistent during this time period. There were no significant differences detected between 2002 data for our sample or those reported nationally. A substantially higher rate of current cigar use was reported in our sample than reported nationally in 2004. Increases in rates of reported cigar use became comparable to rates of current cigarette use for our sample in 2004. Inclusion of a brand specific example on an established measure of current cigar use led to dramatically higher rates of reported use. Established measures of current cigar use are likely underestimating the prevalence of current cigar use in adolescent populations.

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