Qualitative analysis of young adult ENDS users' expectations and experiences.

ObjectivesDespite extensive research into the determinants of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) uptake, few studies have examined the psychosocial benefits ENDS users seek and experience. Using a consumer ritual framework, we explored how ENDS users recreated or replaced smoking practices, and considered implications for smoking cessation.DesignIn-depth interviews; data analysed using thematic analysis.SettingDunedin, New Zealand.Participants16 young adult ENDS users (age M=21.4, SD=1.9; 44% female).ResultsParticipants reported using different ENDS to achieve varying outcomes. Some used 'cigalikes' to recreate a physically and visually similar experience to smoking; they privileged device appearance over nicotine delivery. In contrast, others used personally crafted mods to develop new rituals that differentiated them from smokers and showcased their technical expertise. Irrespective of the device they used, several former smokers and dual users of cigarettes and ENDS experienced strong nostalgia for smoking attributes, particularly the elemental appeal of fire and the finiteness of a cigarette. Non-smoking participants used ENDS to maintain social connections with their peers.ConclusionsParticipants used ENDS to construct rituals that recreated or replaced smoking attributes, and that varied in the emphasis given to device appearance, nicotine delivery, and social performance. Identifying how ENDS users create new rituals and the components they privilege within these could help promote full transition from smoking to ENDS and identify those at greatest risk of dual use or relapse to cigarette smoking

A cross-sectional analysis of how young adults perceive tobacco brands: implications for FCTC signatories

BACKGROUND: The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control calls for the elimination of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. To test whether tobacco packaging functions as advertising by communicating attractive and distinctive brand attributes, we explored how young adult smokers and non-smokers interpreted familiar and unfamiliar tobacco brands. METHODS: We conducted an on-line survey of 1035 young adult smokers and non-smokers aged 18–30. Participants evaluated eight tobacco brands using ten attributes based on brand personality scales. We used factor analysis and ANOVA to examine patterns in brand-attribute associations. RESULTS: Young adults distinguished between brands on the basis of their packaging alone, associated each brand with specific attributes, and were equally able to interpret familiar and unfamiliar brands. Contrary to our expectations, non-smokers made more favourable brand-attribute associations than smokers, but both groups described Basic, a near generic brand, as ‘plain’ or ‘budget’. There were no significant gender or ethnicity differences. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco packaging uses logos, colours and imagery to create desirable connotations that promote and reinforce smoking. By functioning in the same way as advertising, on-pack branding breaches Article 13 of the FCTC and refutes tobacco companies’ claims that pack livery serves only as an indentifying device that simplifies smokers’ decision-making. Given this evidence, signatories should see plain packaging policies as a priority consistent with their FCTC obligations to eliminate all tobacco advertising and promotion

Plain packaging: Legislative differences in Australia, France, the UK, New Zealand and Norway, and options for strengthening regulations

Introduction By July 2018, five countries (Australia, France, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Norway) had fully implemented plain (standardised) packaging. Methods Using government documents, we reviewed the key legislative differences between these five countries to identify best practice measures and potential lacuna. We then discuss how governments planning to introduce plain packaging could strengthen their legislation. Results Differences between countries include the terminology used (either ‘plain’, ‘standardised’, or ‘plain and standardised’), products covered, and transition times (ranging from two to twelve months). Myriad differences exist with respect to the packaging, including the dimensions (explicitly stated for height, width and depth vs minimum dimensions for the health warnings only), structure (straight-edged flip-top packs vs straight, rounded and bevelled-edged flip-top packs and shoulder boxes) and size (minimum number of cigarettes and weight of tobacco vs fixed amounts), and warning content (e.g. inclusion of a stop-smoking web address and/or quitline displayed on warnings on one or both principal display areas). Future options that merit further analysis include banning colour descriptors in brand and variant names, allowing pack inserts promoting cessation, and permitting cigarettes that are designed to be dissuasive. Conclusions Plain packaging legislation and regulations are divergent. Countries moving towards plain packaging should consider incorporating the strengths of existing policies and review opportunities for extending these. While plain packaging represents a milestone in tobacco control policy, future legislation need not simply reflect the past but could set new benchmarks to maximise the potential benefits of this policy

The response of young adult smokers and nonsmokers in the United Kingdom to dissuasive cigarettes: An online survey

Introduction  The cigarette stick is an important communications tool as well as the object of consumption. We explored young adults’ responses to cigarettes designed to be dissuasive.  Methods  Data come from a cross-sectional online survey, conducted in September 2015, with 16-24 year old smokers and non-smokers (N=997) in the United Kingdom. Participants were shown images of a standard cigarette (white cigarette paper with imitation cork filter), a standard cigarette displaying the warning ‘Smoking kills’ on the cigarette paper, and an unattractively coloured cigarette (green cigarette paper and filter). They were asked to rate each of the three cigarettes, shown individually, on eight perception items, and to rate the three cigarettes, shown together, on how likely they would be to try them. Ordering of the cigarettes and questions, with the exception of the question on trial, was randomised.  Results  The eight perceptions items were combined to form a composite measure of cigarette perceptions. For smokers and non-smokers, the two dissuasive cigarettes (cigarette with warning, green cigarette) were rated significantly less favourably than the standard cigarette, and less likely to encourage trial. For cigarette perceptions no significant interaction was detected between cigarette style and smoking status or susceptibility to smoke among never smokers. A significant interaction was found for likelihood of trying the cigarettes, with dissuasive cigarettes having a greater impact with smokers than non-smokers.  Conclusions  This study suggests that dissuasive cigarettes may help to reduce the desirability of cigarettes.  Implications The cigarette stick is the object of tobacco consumption, which is seen every time a cigarette is smoked. It is also an increasingly important promotional tool for tobacco companies. In this study, young adults rated two dissuasive cigarettes (a green coloured cigarette and a cigarette displaying a health warning) more negatively than a standard cigarette, and considered them less likely to encourage product trial. Our findings suggest that it may be possible to reduce the desirability of cigarette sticks by altering their design, e.g. with the addition of a warning or use of an unattractive colour

Color, champagne, and trademark secondary meaning surveys : devilish detail

This article first outlines the requirements for trademarking color and describes the VEUVE CLICQUOT brand. It then describes possible designs for testing whether the color orange serves as a trademark. For each element of the survey, the design dilemmas that must be resolved prior to implementation are described, and specific solutions to these design dilemmas are suggested. As a final contribution, the article looks at arguments that may be raised against the design elements and suggests ways that these arguments may be anticipated and minimized by using a specific design logic. In this way, this article will help expert researchers produce specific, defensible designs that will be of use to courts and tribunals.<br /

Cancer in Australia 1999

Cancer in Australia 1999 presents comprehensive national data on cancer incidence and mortality and summary data on screening, survival, inpatient hospital and general practice episodes, risk factors, and the cancer workforce. The report provides 1999 data for cancer by site, age and sex, and summary data for each State and Territory. Incidence and mortality trends since the early 1980s and age patterns for selected cancers are features of this report. Cancer in Australia 1999 is an important reference from the Cancer Series for all those interested in the health of Australians