Abstract
Background: This was a pre-market actual use study with the Tobacco Heating System (THS),a candidate modified risk tobacco product, conducted with adult smokers in eight cities in the United States. The main goal of the study was to describe THS adoption in a real-world setting. The aim of this analysis was to identify potential predictors for adoption of THS using stepwise logistic regression method. Methods: This actual use study was an observational study assessing self-reported stick-by-stick consumption of the THS product compared with the use of commercial cigarettes over six weeks. The study aimed at replicating the usage of THS in real-world conditions with participants being able to consume cigarettes, THS, and any other nicotine-containing products (e.g., e-cigarettes, cigars, etc.) ad libitum. Results: 14.6% of participants adopted THS, which comprised 70% or more of their total tobacco consumption by the end of the observational period (in Week 6). The main predictors of adoption were the liking of the smell, taste, aftertaste, and ease of use of THS. The proportion of adoption was higher in participants aged 44 years and older and in Hispanic or Latino adult smokers. Additionally, adoption of THS was more likely in participants who had never attempted to quit smoking and in participants who smoked up to 10 cigarettes per day. Finally, the adoption of THS was higher in participants who consumed both regular and menthol THS compared with those who consumed only one THS variant. Conclusions: The main predictors of THS adoption were positive sensory assessment and the ease of use. Socio-demographic characteristics and smoking habits appeared much less important. Post-marketing studies will provide further insights on the impact of the THS at the individual and the overall population level.
Highlights
Cigarette smoking causes pulmonary, cardiovascular, and other serious diseases and is responsible for the largest number of preventable deaths in the United States (U.S
Limitations include the fact that due to the study having been conducted in a pre-market setting, the study participants did not pay for the Tobacco Heating System (THS) products, while they continued to pay for their cigarettes, which may have overestimated the level of THS adoption in this study
Consistent with several theoretical frameworks that have been used to understand the impact of intervention or prevention policies67,68, research should look at factors intrinsic to the users or to the product to explain use behavior and take into consideration the influence of social and societal/environmental factors. This actual use study showed that after a six week period of ad libitum use of THS provided at no expense, almost 15% of U.S daily adult smokers substituted cigarettes with THS
Summary
Cardiovascular, and other serious diseases and is responsible for the largest number of preventable deaths in the United States (U.S.). We updated in the Introduction the status of the PMI MRTP Applications for IQOS to indicate that, in July 2020, the FDA authorized the following claim “AVAILABLE EVIDENCE TO DATE: The IQOS system heats tobacco but does not burn it This significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals. We specified that “As of March 31, 2021 IQOS was available in 66 countries.” This was a pre-market actual use study with the Tobacco Heating System (THS), a candidate modified risk tobacco product, conducted with adult smokers in eight cities in the United States. The reference to logistic regression reflects part of the study methods and should be moved
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
