Abstract
Background: We evaluated smokers’ perceptions of heated tobacco products (HTPs) in Mexico, where industry publically lobbied to introduce HTPs into this country that banned both HTPs and e-cigarettes. Methods: Online surveys (November 2018 to July 2019) were analyzed from adults who only smoked cigarettes (n = 2091) or who smoked and used e-cigarettes (“dual users” n = 1128). Logistic models regressed HTP awareness, interest to trying HTPs, and having seen HTPs for sale (only among aware participants) on sociodemographics and tobacco-related variables. Results: Of the 17.1% who were aware of HTPs, 52.7% reported having seen HTPs for sale. Of all respondents, 75% were somewhat or very interested in trying HTPs. Compared to their counterparts, more frequent smokers, dual users, those exposed to online e-cigarette ads, and those with friends who used e-cigarettes were both more aware of and interested in trying HTPs. Greater awareness was also associated with higher education, recent attempts to quit, receipt of email e-cigarette ads, and smoking among friends and family. Seeing HTPs for sale was higher for those who recently attempted to quit, were exposed to e-cigarette ads online or by email, or had friends who used e-cigarettes. Conclusion: Interest in HTPs is high among smokers in Mexico, which already has a large black market for illegal e-cigarettes. HTPs use should be monitored in this context, especially given the public health impacts of HTPs are unclear.
Highlights
Heated tobacco products (HTPs) deliver nicotine aerosols to consumers by heating tobacco [1,2], potentially reducing exposure to harmful chemicals that result from burning tobacco, as with cigarettes
We found that a minority of Mexican smokers and dual users (17.1%) were aware of heated tobacco products (HTPs), but this was higher than reported for adult smokers in the USA (10%) in 2017 [8], when HTPs were not yet allowed on the US market
We likely overestimated the prevalence of each outcome studied; this population is likely to include those most open to adoption of new products such as HTPs. This population of potential “early adopters” provides important insights into the initial uptake of HTPs, and our results suggest there will be substantial interest. Be that as it may, the results of this study suggest that direction of future research is to explore awareness and interest in HTPs for nonsmokers and youth, issues of continuing concern, especially when prior studies have suggested that these products appeal to never smokers and serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction [6,34,44]
Summary
Heated tobacco products (HTPs) deliver nicotine aerosols to consumers by heating tobacco [1,2], potentially reducing exposure to harmful chemicals that result from burning tobacco, as with cigarettes. HTPs around the world, their HTP product IQOS (‘I Quit Ordinary Smoking’). Since its launch in 2014 in Japan and in 2015 in Switzerland and Italy [2], IQOS has rapidly expanded to markets in 45 countries, accompanied by industry projections of strong market growth [3,4]. We evaluated smokers’ perceptions of heated tobacco products (HTPs) in Mexico, where industry publically lobbied to introduce HTPs into this country that banned both. Logistic models regressed HTP awareness, interest to trying HTPs, and having seen. HTPs for sale (only among aware participants) on sociodemographics and tobacco-related variables
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
