Characteristics of current and recent former smokers associated with the use of new potential reduced-exposure tobacco products (PREPs)

Background: Recently, there has been a proliferation of potential reduced-exposure tobacco products (PREPs) marketed with claims that they are less harmful or less addictive than conventional cigarettes. However, there is little research available describing the characteristics of those most likely to try or use PREPs, and there is concern these products may hinder opportunities for smoking cessation. Methods: Analysis is based on a sample of 44,946 current and recent former smokers (ages 18+) drawn from the nationally-representative 2003 Tobacco Use Supplement (TUS) to the Current Population Survey (CPS). Respondents were asked whether they had tried one of a number of PREP brands. Results: Although overall use of PREPs is low (2.4%), current daily and “some day” only smokers have higher rates of use (2.8% and 2.3%, respectively) compared to former smokers (1.48%). Rates of PREP use are also highest among non-Hispanic White youth, 18-24 years olds, those with some college education, and among those living in the South. Daily smokers who have tried a PREP product are more likely to smoke light or ultra-light cigarettes, report more symptoms of nicotine dependence, smoke more cigarettes per day, report a higher number of quit attempts, and are more likely to seek quitting assistance from pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapies compared to non-PREP users. Similar results were found for current “some day” smokers. Conclusions: These findings support the concern that current smokers who are highly dependent yet motivated to quit smoking may seek PREPs as an alternative strategy to smoking cessation.