Gender Differences: Smokers With and Without Substance Abuse History

poster abstractPrevious research suggests that individuals with chemical dependence history experience more intense nicotine addiction, and during smoking cessation may be more likely to demonstrate increased negative affect and unfavorable scores on psychometric assessments. It is unknown how men and women may differ in their susceptibilities to such undesirable outcomes. From 1992-2004, The Indiana University Nicotine Dependence Program (IUNDP) treated over 1200 patients using a Mayo Clinic-based protocol which assesses the behavioral, social, and physiological aspects of nicotine dependence. The IUNDP was instituted at Fairbanks Hospital’s addictions center to address tobacco use among the patients and staff. Charts of individuals who completed nicotine dependence treatment (1992-2011) were selected from IU School of Dentistry and Fairbanks Hospital for retrospective analysis. Chart selection criteria consisted of the availability of complete pre-and post quit measures for a minimum of four total appointments and two post-quit appointments. Reviewed were 107 charts from patients without a history of chemical dependence (ND) and 123 from those with a chemical dependence history (CD), including 120 men and 110 women. Student researchers used a standardized protocol to capture 16 tobacco use and demographic variables and 12 post-quit measures. Comparisons between CD and ND groups were made using Pearson chi-square tests for binary data, Wilcoxon rank sum tests for all other data, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests for changes between time periods. Despite similarities among CD and ND smokers, males and females appear to face distinct challenges. Results suggest CD males are significantly more negative in mood, and are more likely to have increased withdrawal symptoms at the end of treatment. Males were also more likely to experience adverse events with NRT. Both CD males and females experienced more increased appetite than their ND counterparts. Females scored higher on addiction-related sensorimotor manipulation and may have increased propensity for psychological dependence

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

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With 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.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An 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.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 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.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Current 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.</p

Puffing Topography and Interpersonal Bonding Behavior Observed Among Recovering Drug Addicts Versus General Smokers

poster abstractSmokers can inherently manipulate nicotine doses on a puff-by-puff basis. The character of smoking behavior may be determined by using complex forms of smoking topography in laboratory settings or by unobtrusively observing the time spent smoking a single cigarette, the number of puffs taken, interpuff intervals and smokers’ behaviors. The purpose of this study was to observe and compare smoking topography and interpersonal bonding behaviors of recovering drug addicts to that of general smokers in a natural setting (introduction). Following a variable chemical substance detox/treatment period, Fairbanks addiction treatment patients spend 3-12 weeks in follow-up treatment in two groups: Partial Hospitalized Patients (PHP) and Intensive Outpatients (IOP). PHP and IOP form tight interpersonal bonds and friendships with each other. Patients are periodically released and they meet and smoke together at an approved outdoor smoking area. From a distance, PHP and IOP (20 men and 20 women) cigarette puffing behaviors were unobtrusively observed and recorded. Two calibrated investigators, using a stop watch monitored the exact time of lighting and the extinguishing of each cigarette. For each subject, the number of puffs taken was recorded and the interpuff interval was calculated. The same protocol was followed for a population of general smokers observed on the campus of IUPUI (methods). The mean interpuff intervals were IUPUI men: 25.2 seconds (SD 11.93); IUPUI women: 30.9 seconds (SD 16.0); Fairbanks men: 16.2 seconds (SD 6.21); and Fairbanks women: 21.1 seconds (SD 6.51). There was a statistically significant difference in interpuff intervals between the general smokers and the recovering addicts (p<0.001) and this effect was not dependent upon gender. Behavioral observations between general smokers versus recovering addicts will be presented (results). Smokers who were recovering from chemical drug addiction smoked more intensely than the general smoking population and their smoking behaviors were often quite different (conclusions)