From Doubt to Confidence-Overcoming Fraudulent Submissions by Bots and Other Takers of a Web-Based Survey.

In 2019, we launched a web-based longitudinal survey of adults who frequently use e-cigarettes, called the Vaping and Patterns of E-cigarette Use Research (VAPER) Study. The initial attempt to collect survey data failed due to fraudulent survey submissions, likely submitted by survey bots and other survey takers. This paper chronicles the journey from that setback to the successful completion of 5 waves of data collection.

Effects Of E-Cigarette Warning Labels About Mental Health Consequences Of Nicotine Addiction Among Young Adults In The Us: Results From A Randomized Controlled Experiment.

Introduction: Since 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required e-cigarette packaging and advertising to bear the warning: "WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS NICOTINE.

Five years of discourse related to Indonesia tobacco control reform: a content analysis of online media coverage.

Background: In 2017, Indonesia initiated the amendment of its 11-year-old tobacco control regulation (PP 109/2012) to reduce smoking among youth, but the process was stalled. The proposed changes in the regulation include a full ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS), increasing health warning label (HWL) size and regulating electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). This study analysed the arguments and actors for and against the PP 109/2012 amendment in online media articles.

A Descriptive Analysis of Beliefs About Nicotine and Switching to Noncombustibles Among Adults Who Smoke Cigarettes and Believe Nicotine Causes Cancer.

 Many people who smoke cigarettes report believing that nicotine causes cancer, a misperception that may reduce interest in switching to noncombustible nicotine products. Quantitative survey questions do not capture how this population thinks about nicotine and switching to noncombustible products.  This study used an online convenience sample of 193 US adults who smoke cigarettes and reported that nicotine causes cancer.

Predictors of attrition in a randomized controlled trial of an electronic nicotine delivery system among people interested in cigarette smoking reduction.

Background: Mitigating attrition is a key component to reduce selection bias in longitudinal randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Few studies of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) allow for the examination of long-term retention. This analysis explores the relationship between attrition, baseline measures, and condition assigned for a RCT involving ENDS differing in nicotine delivery over a 24-week intervention period.

Tobacco industry pricing strategies during recent tax adjustments in Mexico: evidence from sales data.

Introduction: Previous studies have identified pricing strategies that the tobacco industry employs to try to minimise the impact of tobacco taxation, but these studies are mostly about high-income countries. This research examines industry price responses to a recent cigarette tax increase in Mexico, including in the capsule cigarette segment that has expanded rapidly in Latin America.

Methods: Data of cigarette prices and sales in Mexico between October 2018 and September 2021 licensed from NielsenIQ were used following a quasi-experimental design to analyse price changes after excise tax increases with fixed effect models by product.

Rotation of tobacco health warnings and messages: challenges and recommendations for implementation.

Health warnings and messages-or health warning labels (HWLs)-are integral to tobacco control efforts, but their sustained impact necessitates regular rotation. This paper explores challenges in HWL rotation implementation across six diverse countries: Chile, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Vietnam. 19 in-depth interviews were conducted with government officials and representatives from civil society organisations and academia.

Is Maintenance or Switching Between Freebase and Nicotine Salt Liquid Associated with Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Dependence?

Background: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use one of two formulations of nicotine-freebase or nicotine salt. This study examines whether maintenance or switching between nicotine formulations is associated with ENDS dependence using longitudinal survey data.

Methods: 543 U.

Reasons for continued usage of ENDS: Differences by device and liquid characteristics among US adults.

Introduction: Motivations for using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include quitting or reducing cigarette smoking, flavor, and addiction. This study examines whether the primary reason for continued ENDS usage changes over time, and its association with device and liquid characteristics.

Methods: Data are from a longitudinal cohort study and include 526 US adults (≥21 years) using ENDS frequently (≥5 days/week) as self-reported, and uploaded photos of their most used ENDS devices and liquids and self-reported primary reason for continued ENDS usage in wave 2 (December 2020-April 2021) and wave 5 (February-April 2023).

Quantifying Cigarette and e-Cigarette Marketing Exposure Among Chinese Adolescents Using Ecological Momentary Assessment.

Introduction: Addressing cigarette and e-cigarette use in China is key to reducing the global tobacco epidemic. Marketing exposure is one causal factor for adolescent smoking and e-cigarette use. Currently, China restricts cigarette and e-cigarette ads in public places and online; however, there may not be full policy compliance.

Decisions of the FDA on premarket tobacco product applications: Changes in the number of unique devices and liquids used by US adults who frequently use electronic nicotine delivery systems, 2020-2023.

Introduction: The majority of decisions on electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) were made from October 2020 to February 2023; 99% (>25 million) had determinations by March 2023 and just twenty-three received marketing granted orders. We examined the unique devices and liquids used among US adults frequently using ENDS before, during, and after a majority of PMTA decisions were made.

Methods: Data are from waves 1-5 (W1: May-Oct 2020, n=1179; W5: Feb-Apr 2023, n=1290) of a longitudinal survey of US adults (≥21 years) using ENDS ≥5 days/week.

PMI-funded foundation for a smoke-free world: application of criteria to assess funding models that include financial support from the tobacco industry.

Recent changes to the leadership and the terms of tobacco industry financing of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW) have called for a revisiting of a paper published in 2009 where we proposed criteria and other considerations to assess possible funding models for research that include financial support from the tobacco industry. This paper reviews and attempts to apply the elements laid out in 2009 to the current state of FSFW. After discussing each criterion and consideration we conclude that, at this point in time, conducting a thorough assessment using our 2009 paper is not possible because critical details related to FSFW governance, decision-making and process have not been announced.

Tobacco product litter as a form of postconsumption marketing: an observational study in India.

Background: Tobacco product litter may be a form of postconsumption marketing if the littered items are branded. We conducted an observational study in India to assess the presence of tobacco product litter and determine the proportion that included branding.

Methods: During November-December 2022, we identified tobacco product litter (cigarette/bidi butts and packaging; smokeless tobacco packaging) in nine Indian cities: Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai and Patna.

Heterogeneity in sociodemographic characteristics of people who use different ENDS devices.

Background: The electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) market is heterogeneous with a wide variety of devices and liquids available to consumers. People with distinct sociodemographic characteristics may have different ENDS device and liquid preferences.

Methods: 1290 U.

Exploring Different Incentive Structures Among US Adults Who Use e-Cigarettes to Optimize Retention in Longitudinal Web-Based Surveys: Case Study.

Background: Longitudinal cohort studies are critical for understanding the evolution of health-influencing behaviors, such as e-cigarette use, over time. Optimizing follow-up rates in longitudinal studies is necessary for ensuring high-quality data with sufficient power for analyses. However, achieving high rates of follow-up in web-based longitudinal studies can be challenging, even when monetary incentives are provided.

Testing messaging strategies to correct beliefs about nicotine and relative harm perceptions of non-cigarette tobacco products compared to cigarettes: A 2 × 2 factorial experiment of factsheets.

Introduction: The misperception that nicotine is a major cause of cancer is common and may relate to inaccurate relative harm perceptions about tobacco products. To assess if messaging can correct these misperceptions, we tested factsheets that manipulated presences vs absence of (1) a causal alternative (i.e.

The Use of Packaging Descriptors in a Rapidly Growing Market for Capsule Cigarettes: Evidence From Mexico.

Introduction: The global market for capsule cigarettes has grown rapidly, especially in Latin America. This research examined the sales trends and patterns as well as packaging characteristics of capsule cigarette in Mexico in recent years.

Methods: National data on cigarette sales in Mexico between October 2018 and September 2021 licensed from NielsenIQ were supplemented with cigarette pack pictures and Internet searches to determine whether characterizing flavor, concept flavor, and action descriptors were used.

Transitions in device and liquid characteristic groupings among US adults frequently using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) over three timepoints, 2020-2021.

Introduction: Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) and liquid characteristics affect nicotine and toxicant exposure and use behaviors. Little is known about how adults who frequently use ENDS transition between ENDS device/liquid groupings.

Methods: A total of 379 US adults (≥21 years) using ENDS frequently (≥5 days/week) self-reported and uploaded photos of their most used ENDS device and liquid in three waves of online surveys (May 2020 - November 2021).

Exposure to and Appeal of Tobacco Ads and Displays in China: A Qualitative Exploration of Chinese Youth Perceptions.

Introduction: Adolescents are uniquely vulnerable to nicotine addiction, and smoking is common among male adolescents in China. Although China implemented a ban on cigarette and e-cigarette advertising in public places, Chinese youth remain exposed to this marketing, which may contribute to future use.

Aims And Methods: From December 2021 to January 2022, we conducted 20 online focus group discussions with 119 adolescents in 10 Chinese cities to explore sources of tobacco marketing exposure, defined as exposure to cigarette and e-cigarette ads and product displays, and what features made marketing attractive.

E-Cigarette Dependence and Depressive Symptoms Among Youth.

Introduction: Although the relationship between smoking and depression has been well-established, little is known about the association between use of e-cigarette and depression, particularly among youth and young adults. This study proposes that e-cigarette dependence, rather than simply use, serves as a potential stressor and may interact with pre-existing vulnerabilities to contribute to depression in youth, consistent with the diathesis-stress theory. This study examines the longitudinal association of vaping dependence and vaping frequency on depression symptoms among youth and young adults who have never smoked cigarettes.

Menthol and Other Flavor Chemicals in Cigarettes from Vietnam and the Philippines.

Introduction: Tobacco product flavors can increase product appeal, adolescent initiation and experimentation, and difficulty quitting. Flavored tobacco products are not restricted in Vietnam or the Philippines despite the high smoking prevalence among those 15 years of age and older (24% and 23%, respectively). There are no published reports to our knowledge on the levels of flavor chemicals in the cigarettes sold in these two countries.