Non-tobacco Products Research Articles

Tobacco Product Usage Among Deployed Male and Female Military Personnel in Kuwait

military training failure 1 ; smoking is associated with significant increased hospitalization and lost work days 2 ; and smoking is a strong marker for other causes of low readiness such as alcohol abuse, low physical activity, and illicit drug abuse. 3 Also, smokers in the military are more likely to sustain injuries, especially musculoskeletal injuries. 4 Among deployed male and female military personnel stationed in Kuwait during Summer to Autumn of 2012, 402 military members (383 Enlisted and 19 Officers) with ages ranging from 19 to 55 years (mean age 32 years) were randomly surveyed regarding their tobacco usage habits (cigarette smoking and chewing tobacco). Those randomly surveyed were Active Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve members. The ethnicity of those surveyed were predominantly Caucasian (80%), followed in descending order by African American (9%), Hispanic (5%), Asian (4%), and Pacific Islander/Native American (2%). Of the 402 military members surveyed, 41% (164/402) used tobacco products during the Kuwait deployment. Among the tobacco product users, 87% (142/164) were male and 13% (22/164) were female. The mean age of the tobacco users was 30 years. In contrast, of the 238 nontobacco product users, 73% (173/238) were male and 27% (65/238) were female. The mean age of the nontobacco product users was 34 years. Thus, a higher percentage of males, as opposed to females, used tobacco products. Of the 164 military members using tobacco products, 9% (14/164) did not use tobacco products before the deployment. During the deployment, 21% (35/164) of tobacco users further increased tobacco product usage and 6% (10/164) decreased tobacco usage. Forty-six percent (75/164) of military personnel identified craving/habit as the primary motivating factor for their tobacco usage. Thirty-two percent (53/164) of military personnel blamed anxiety/stress, 16% (26/164) blamed boredom, and 6% (10/164) identified socializing as the primary motivating factor for tobacco use. Fifty-seven percent (94/164) of all tobacco users during deployment wanted to stop tobacco use upon redeployment. Seventy-five percent (40/53) of those members associating their tobacco use with anxiety intended on stopping tobacco use upon redeployment. Based on the above data, tobacco use prevalence for deployed military personnel was approximately two times the U.S. national average, with prevalence of tobacco product usage greater for males than females. Our survey also concluded that during the deployment, a significant number of individual tobacco users further increased the quantity of tobacco consumed. Lastly, among deployed military personnel, craving/habit (addiction) and anxiety/stress are the two main factors influencing tobacco usage, with greater than 50% of tobacco users intending on stopping tobacco use upon return to the United States. The increased use of tobacco during deployment is probably associated with the increased psychological and emotional stresses incurred during deployment. In conclusion, this data demonstrates the magnitude of the tobacco use problem among deployed military personnel. Effective and constructive policies regarding the tobacco use issue in the military are long overdue.

Better to die than to leave a friend behind: industry strategy to reach the young

Tobacco control policy in Indonesia is, by international standards, very rudimentary. Weak regulation has made Indonesia a ‘place of freedom’ for tobacco companies. Tobacco advertising and promotion is rampant and...

Retail promotions and perceptions of R.J. Reynolds' novel dissolvable tobacco in a US test market

BackgroundWith declining cigarette sales, tobacco manufacturers have been developing and marketing new smokeless products, such as R. J. Reynolds' dissolvable tobacco, Camel Sticks, Strips and Orbs. This study assessed the availability, price and point-of-purchase promotional strategies for Camel Dissolvables, and investigated consumer awareness, interest and perception of these products in the Indiana test market.MethodsAn exploratory retail audit of point-of-purchase promotions was conducted in a random sample of retailers from 6 store categories (n = 81) in the test market area. Data included: store type, location, product placement, forms/flavors carried, price, types and locations of advertisements and promotions, and ad messages. An Awareness-Attitude-Usage (AAU) survey was used to gauge consumer awareness and knowledge of tobacco products including Camel Dissolvables. Respondents were shown promotional materials from a package onsert and perceptions and interest in the Camel Dissolvables were assessed. An Intended Target Survey (ITS) compared subjects' perceptions of ad targets for several non-tobacco products, as well as Camel Snus, Camel No. 9 and Camel Dissolvables. Respondents were asked to identify each ad's intended target category, perceived targetedness, and purchase intent.ResultsThe products were carried by 46% of stores, most frequently gas stations (100%) and convenience stores (75%). They were shelved near smokeless tobacco (70%), cigarettes (25%) or candy (5%). Prices ranged from $3.59 -$4.19 per package; most stores carried at least 1 promotional item. Ad messages included: "Dissolvable Tobacco" (60%). "Free Trial" (24%), "Special Price" (24%), "What's Your Style?" (22%). At 14% of stores, free trial packs of Camel Dissolvables were offered with another Camel purchase. Awareness was reported by 42% of respondents (n = 243), and trial by 3%. Consumer interest was very low, but younger respondents (< 40 years) were more familiar with Camel Dissolvables (60% vs. 45% for those > 40 years, p < .01). Males, as well as current and former smokers had higher rates of interest and trial; only 1% of never smokers reported trial. In the ITS, only for the 3 tobacco product ads, was perceived targetedness for smokers significantly higher than for non-smokers. Smokers and nonsmokers perceived that the ads targeted smokers.ConclusionsCurrent retail promotional strategies for Camel Sticks, Strips & Orbs appear to be targeting a select audience, primarily current smokers. Overall, consumer awareness, interest and trial were low.

“The world’s most hostile environment”: how the tobacco industry circumvented Singapore’s advertising ban

Objective: To review how tobacco transnational companies conducted their business in the hostile environment of Singapore, attempting to counter some of the government’s tobacco control measures; to compare the Malaysian...

Exposure of adolescent girls to cigar images in women's magazines, 1992-1998.

This study assessed the exposure of adolescent girls to cigar images in women's magazines from 1992 to 1998. Data were obtained from the 5 women's magazines with the highest readership of adolescent girls. We found a significant upward trend in cigar images portrayed in women's magazines and a significant increase in the portrayal of women cigar smokers over the period observed. Cigar images were less likely than cigarette images to promote tobacco or nontobacco products. Among advertisements, nearly all those that featured cigars promoted nontobacco products; advertisements featuring cigarettes overwhelmingly promoted tobacco products. Between 1992 and 1998, adolescent readers of women's magazines were increasingly exposed to images of cigars.

Potential Consumer Participation in a Boycott of Tobacco-Company-Owned Nontobacco Products

A random telephone survey was conducted to measure the public's willingness to participate in a boycott of popular consumer products manufactured by corporations owned by tobacco companies. Results suggest a strong interest in such a boycott. Previous boycott experiences, attitudes, and smoking statuses significantly predicted subjects' willingness to participate. Age was inversely related to willingness to participate, while sex, income, ethnicity, and education were not related to this variable.