Little Cigars: Little Cigars: The Preferred Tobacco Product The Preferred Tobacco Product Among Freshmen at an HBCUAmong Freshmen at an HBCU

Presentation to Presentation to

HWTF Teen Tobacco Use HWTF Teen Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Prevention and Cessation grantees June 17, 2010grantees June 17, 2010

Survey MethodsSurvey Methods

In fall 2003, a paper and pencil, self-administered In fall 2003, a paper and pencil, self-administered screening survey on tobacco use was administered to screening survey on tobacco use was administered to NCCU freshmen in sections of a required introductory NCCU freshmen in sections of a required introductory course. course.

Survey was part of a one-year cohort study on factors Survey was part of a one-year cohort study on factors influencing the initiation and entrenchment of smoking influencing the initiation and entrenchment of smoking among freshmen at an historically Black university.among freshmen at an historically Black university.

Screener SampleScreener Sample

684 freshmen (57%) completed screening survey684 freshmen (57%) completed screening survey

68% female68% female 96% African American96% African American 88% living on campus88% living on campus 99% full-time students99% full-time students

Summary of Screener DataSummary of Screener DataN %

Have you ever used a tobacco product in your life?

Yes 344 50%

What tobacco products have you used? Cigarettes

Little cigars

Other cigars

Pipe

Chew

237

255

115

2

15

69%

74%

33%

1%

4%

During the past 30 days have you smoked at least one cigarette or little cigar?

Yes

173 50%

Which have you used in the past 30 days? Cigarette

Little cigar

76

128

44%

74%

Have you smoked in the last 7 days? Yes 120 35%

Little Cigars Vs. CigarettesLittle Cigars Vs. Cigarettes

Smoked in the past 30

days

Cigarettes

only

Little cigars

only

Both cigarettes and little cigars

Total

Females

33

(31%)

54

(50%)

20

(19%)

107

(100%)

Male

10 (16%)

42

(67%)

11

(17%)

63

(100%)

Though the preference was stronger for males than Though the preference was stronger for males than females, both preferred little cigars to cigarettes.females, both preferred little cigars to cigarettes.

An Intro To Little Cigars (LCs)An Intro To Little Cigars (LCs)

Also known as cigarillosAlso known as cigarillos Much smaller than traditional cigars Much smaller than traditional cigars Big cigars are sometimes hollowed out and filled Big cigars are sometimes hollowed out and filled

with marijuana.with marijuana. For some blunts are big tobacco-filled cigars For some blunts are big tobacco-filled cigars

(e.g., Philly Blunts); for others they are (e.g., Philly Blunts); for others they are marijuana-filled cigars.marijuana-filled cigars.

It gets confusing, but clear distinctions are It gets confusing, but clear distinctions are critical!critical!

An Intro To Little Cigars (LCs)An Intro To Little Cigars (LCs)

Nicotine content of LCs is unclear, but most Nicotine content of LCs is unclear, but most users inhale - to get a buzz.users inhale - to get a buzz.

In a social setting one LC is often passed In a social setting one LC is often passed around among friends, much like a joint.around among friends, much like a joint.

5 per pack; in NC cost about $2.50 pack5 per pack; in NC cost about $2.50 pack Singles or loosies sell for $.75Singles or loosies sell for $.75

HypingHyping

A process some smokers engage in to make the A process some smokers engage in to make the LC burn more quickly and “pull easier”LC burn more quickly and “pull easier”

Tobacco is completely emptied from the LC, the Tobacco is completely emptied from the LC, the filter is taken off, a paper (sometimes called the filter is taken off, a paper (sometimes called the cancer stick) that lines the little cigar is removed, cancer stick) that lines the little cigar is removed, then the tobacco is put back in.then the tobacco is put back in.

Requires time and technique; a ritual for someRequires time and technique; a ritual for some

Focus Groups: Exploring the Use of Focus Groups: Exploring the Use of Little CigarsLittle Cigars

In July 2005, 3 focus groups were conducted In July 2005, 3 focus groups were conducted with NCCU students who were current or former with NCCU students who were current or former smokers of little cigars.smokers of little cigars.

21 students participated21 students participated

16 males, 5 females; all African American16 males, 5 females; all African American

Focus groups lasted 60-90 minutesFocus groups lasted 60-90 minutes

Participants received a $30 gift certificateParticipants received a $30 gift certificate

TopicsTopics

Current smoking statusCurrent smoking status Brands of LCs smokedBrands of LCs smoked Reasons for smoking LCsReasons for smoking LCs Social context of smokingSocial context of smoking Amount smokedAmount smoked Risks relative to cigarettes – addiction and Risks relative to cigarettes – addiction and

health problemshealth problems Thoughts about quittingThoughts about quitting

Smoking StatusSmoking Status

20 of 21 currently smoked LCs; one was a 20 of 21 currently smoked LCs; one was a former userformer user

Only 6 of 21 also smoked cigarettes; one Only 6 of 21 also smoked cigarettes; one other was a former userother was a former user

Brands of LCs SmokedBrands of LCs Smoked

Black and Milds (aka Blacks) were Black and Milds (aka Blacks) were overwhelmingly the brand of choice.overwhelmingly the brand of choice.

In fact, Blacks were synonymous with little cigars In fact, Blacks were synonymous with little cigars (like Kleenex and Jello).(like Kleenex and Jello).

Some had tried other brands (Swisher Sweets, Some had tried other brands (Swisher Sweets, Black Magic) but preferred Blacks.Black Magic) but preferred Blacks.

A few smoked flavored Blacks (e.g., vanilla).A few smoked flavored Blacks (e.g., vanilla).

Why Little Cigars Over Why Little Cigars Over Cigarettes?Cigarettes?

Better taste and smell Better taste and smell ““Black & Milds are smooth. Cigarettes taste like Black & Milds are smooth. Cigarettes taste like

chemicals.”chemicals.” ““Cigarettes smell your clothes.”Cigarettes smell your clothes.” ““Girls say [cigarettes] stink.”Girls say [cigarettes] stink.”

Better buzz/highBetter buzz/high ““I get more of a buzz with my first cigarette. But when I I get more of a buzz with my first cigarette. But when I

smoke Black & Milds, I get a buzz every time I pull.”smoke Black & Milds, I get a buzz every time I pull.”

Why Little Cigars Over Why Little Cigars Over Cigarettes?Cigarettes?

It’s part of partying.It’s part of partying. ““It went hand in hand at parties.”It went hand in hand at parties.” ““Drinking and Blacks go together.”Drinking and Blacks go together.”

It’s more social.It’s more social. ““Normally people smoke and pass.”Normally people smoke and pass.” ““We might share while in the line at the club.”We might share while in the line at the club.”

StatusStatus ““They look cool.”They look cool.” ““It’s the fad in fashion.”It’s the fad in fashion.”

Why Little Cigars Over Cigarettes?Why Little Cigars Over Cigarettes?

They’re less addictive. They’re less addictive. ““I started smoking blacks in order to stop smoking I started smoking blacks in order to stop smoking

cigarettes.”cigarettes.” ““People who smoke cigarettes feign for cigarettes. People who smoke cigarettes feign for cigarettes.

With blacks if you don’t have one, it’s cool.”With blacks if you don’t have one, it’s cool.” They’re less harmful. They’re less harmful.

““They’re not as many toxic gases.”They’re not as many toxic gases.” ““My grandma died from cigarettes.”My grandma died from cigarettes.”

You can make them safer by “hyping” You can make them safer by “hyping” ““When you remove the cancer paper, it takes out When you remove the cancer paper, it takes out

some of the stuff.”some of the stuff.”

When and Where Do You When and Where Do You Smoke?Smoke?

When drinking at the club or a party When drinking at the club or a party After a meal (but not on an empty stomach – After a meal (but not on an empty stomach –

laxative effect!)laxative effect!) When stressed.When stressed.

““I smoke after class, after work, after an argument to I smoke after class, after work, after an argument to mellow out and get my head together. It keeps me mellow out and get my head together. It keeps me calm.”calm.”

With friendsWith friends When smoking marijuana.When smoking marijuana.

““Now I smoke after weed to get an extra boost.”Now I smoke after weed to get an extra boost.”

How Much Do You Smoke and How How Much Do You Smoke and How Do You Smoke It?Do You Smoke It?

Responses ranged from a pack a day to a pack Responses ranged from a pack a day to a pack every 2 weeks.every 2 weeks.

Those who also smoked cigarettes smoked Those who also smoked cigarettes smoked more cigarettes than LCs.more cigarettes than LCs. ““A pack [of LCs] lasts me 2 weeks, but I smoke A pack [of LCs] lasts me 2 weeks, but I smoke

cigarettes every day for stress.”cigarettes every day for stress.” ““I might smoke a pack of Blacks in a week and 3 I might smoke a pack of Blacks in a week and 3

packs of cigarettes the next week.”packs of cigarettes the next week.”

How Much Do You Smoke and How How Much Do You Smoke and How Do You Smoke It?Do You Smoke It?

But many people don’t smoke a whole LC at one But many people don’t smoke a whole LC at one time.time. ““It is hard to smoke a whole black. When I smoke, I It is hard to smoke a whole black. When I smoke, I

have 3 sessions with one Black.”have 3 sessions with one Black.” ““I smoke, then put it out, then smoke the rest later.”I smoke, then put it out, then smoke the rest later.” ““I can’t smoke a whole Black. You have to share.”I can’t smoke a whole Black. You have to share.”

Most people share.Most people share. ““Collectively we might smoke 5 to 6 Blacks in a day.”Collectively we might smoke 5 to 6 Blacks in a day.” ““Everyone wants to hit Blacks.”Everyone wants to hit Blacks.” ““No one is stingy with Blacks.”No one is stingy with Blacks.”

Beliefs About AddictionBeliefs About Addiction There was widespread belief that LCs are not as There was widespread belief that LCs are not as

addictive as cigarettes.addictive as cigarettes. ““You can shake the habit of Blacks, but you can’t do You can shake the habit of Blacks, but you can’t do

that with cigarettes.”that with cigarettes.” ““People do not smoke cigarettes for leisure. Black & People do not smoke cigarettes for leisure. Black &

Milds are smoked for leisure.”Milds are smoked for leisure.” ““Smoking Blacks you don’t feel as addicted.”Smoking Blacks you don’t feel as addicted.”

A minority disagreed.A minority disagreed. ““I don’t understand, it’s all tobacco.”I don’t understand, it’s all tobacco.” ““It’s the same. It’s a different gun but the same It’s the same. It’s a different gun but the same

bullet.”bullet.”

Beliefs About Health RisksBeliefs About Health Risks Some believed LCs are less harmful than Some believed LCs are less harmful than

cigarettes - for various reasons.cigarettes - for various reasons. ““I don’t think it’s as bad because people do not smoke I don’t think it’s as bad because people do not smoke

Black & Milds as much.”Black & Milds as much.” ““Cigarettes have more chemicals.”Cigarettes have more chemicals.” ““When you smoke a cigarette, the paper turns brown. When you smoke a cigarette, the paper turns brown.

But when you smoke a Black & Mild, there is no color But when you smoke a Black & Mild, there is no color change. So it is not as harmful.”change. So it is not as harmful.”

Some believed the risks were equivalent.Some believed the risks were equivalent. ““It’s the same thing – tobacco is tobacco.”It’s the same thing – tobacco is tobacco.” ““With Blacks you might get the same diseases as With Blacks you might get the same diseases as

cigarette smokers, but it will happen at a slower rate.”cigarette smokers, but it will happen at a slower rate.”

Beliefs About Health RisksBeliefs About Health Risks

Some believed LCs are more harmful than Some believed LCs are more harmful than cigarettes – for various reasons.cigarettes – for various reasons. ““It is worse. I heard one Black & Mild equals 10 It is worse. I heard one Black & Mild equals 10

cigarettes.cigarettes. ““Well, if we’re taking the filter out, it has to be worse. Well, if we’re taking the filter out, it has to be worse.

But it is still all smoke. The paper acts like a filter, But it is still all smoke. The paper acts like a filter, right?”right?”

““The paper makes Blacks more dangerous.”The paper makes Blacks more dangerous.”

Beliefs About Health RisksBeliefs About Health Risks

A number seemed genuinely confused and A number seemed genuinely confused and interested in learning more.interested in learning more. ““My brother said that the cancer stick was a filter. But My brother said that the cancer stick was a filter. But

I thought it made the Black worse.”I thought it made the Black worse.” ““I believe [Blacks are worse] but I hope to find out I believe [Blacks are worse] but I hope to find out

more.”more.” ““What is in the paper that they make Blacks out of?”What is in the paper that they make Blacks out of?” ““Coming here makes me want to research more Coming here makes me want to research more

tonight. I thought it had fewer chemicals.”tonight. I thought it had fewer chemicals.”

Implications for Tobacco Prevention and Implications for Tobacco Prevention and Cessation ProgramsCessation Programs

Address the use of little cigars. Address the use of little cigars. Make clear distinctionsMake clear distinctions

little cigars vs. big cigars vs. bluntslittle cigars vs. big cigars vs. blunts smoking tobacco vs. smoking marijuanasmoking tobacco vs. smoking marijuana

Many students want the truth about LCs. Give Many students want the truth about LCs. Give them straight information. them straight information.

Debunk the myths that:Debunk the myths that: It’s not addictive.It’s not addictive. It’s a healthier alternative to cigarettes.It’s a healthier alternative to cigarettes. Hyping reduces the risk.Hyping reduces the risk.