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. 2022 Aug;71(2):226-232.
doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.02.013. Epub 2022 May 9.

Flavored Tobacco Product Use Among Young Adults by Race and Ethnicity: Evidence From the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study

Shannon Lea Watkins  1 , Felicia Pieper  2 , Benjamin W Chaffee  3 , Valerie B Yerger  4 , Pamela M Ling  5 , Wendy Max  6
Affiliations

Flavored Tobacco Product Use Among Young Adults by Race and Ethnicity: Evidence From the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study

Shannon Lea Watkins et al. J Adolesc Health. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Purpose: Describe racial/ethnic patterns of flavored tobacco use to illuminate equity implications of flavored tobacco policies.

Methods: Using data on US young adults (ages 18-34; n = 8,114) in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Wave 5 (2018-2019) and survey-weighted logistic regression, we estimated any flavors (regular brand) and mint/menthol (vs. other flavors) use by race/ethnicity among cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar, blunt, hookah, smokeless tobacco, and any tobacco product users.

Results: Any flavored tobacco use was common and was significantly higher for Black (75.1%; OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2, 1.7) and Hispanic/Latinx (77.2%; OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7) users than White users (73.5%). The most pronounced difference across products was in menthol cigarette use between Black and White smokers (OR: 4.5; 95% CI: 3.5, 5.9). Among flavored product users, mint/menthol use was significantly higher for Latinx blunt and hookah users.

Discussion: Racial/ethnic disparities in flavored tobacco use include and extend beyond menthol cigarettes. Comprehensive flavored tobacco restrictions that include mint/menthol and non-cigarette products will likely have more equitable impact.

Keywords: Emerging adults; Menthol cigarettes; Vaping.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: Authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

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