Adult use of cigars, little cigars, and cigarillos in Cuyahoga County, Ohio: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Adult use of cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars has increased over the past two decades; however, little is known about the characteristics of the users. The data were derived from 5 years (2003-2007) of the Cuyahoga County Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, a random digit-dialed telephone survey conducted by ICF Macro International, based on the survey and methods of the Ohio BRFSS. Results indicate that the prevalence of current cigarette smoking across the 5 years was 23.1%. Cigar use and little cigar use were reported by 4.3% and 3.3% of respondents, respectively. Compared with cigarette users, cigar and little cigar users were far more likely to report multiple product use (12.8% vs. 63.9% and 80.5%, respectively). Cigar and little cigar users differed from cigarette smokers in demographic profile and patterns of multiple product use. Black and lower income adults were significantly more likely to report use of little cigars and use of multiple products. These disparities potentially contribute to the disproportionate rates of tobacco-related illnesses and underrepresentation of low-income and minority populations in tobacco use prevalence rates.