Sex Differences in Becoming a Current Electronic Cigarette User, Current Smoker and Current Dual User of Both Products: A Longitudinal Study Among Mexican Adolescents

This study aimed to assess sex differences in predictors for becoming a current exclusive electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) user, current exclusive smoker, or current dual user (concurrent smoking and e-cigarette use). This longitudinal study included 2399 females and 2177 males who had tried neither cigarettes nor e-cigarettes at baseline and attended 57 middle schools in the three largest cities in Mexico. We estimated multinomial logistic models stratified by sex. At follow-up, the prevalence of current exclusive e-cigarette use was 6.4% for males and 5.5% for females; current exclusive smoking was similar among males (3.6%) and females (3.5%); dual use was 2.4% females and 1.8% males. In the adjusted model, current e-cigarette use among females was associated with baseline current drinking (ARR = 1.85; p \u3c 0.05), having a job (ARR = 1.99; p \u3c 0.05), higher technophilia (ARR = 1.27; p \u3c 0.05), and higher positive smoking expectancies (ARR = 1.39; p \u3c 0.05). Among males, only having friends who smoke cigarettes at baseline was a significant predictor of current exclusive e-cigarette use at follow-up (ARR = 1.44; p \u3c 0.05). For both sexes, current exclusive smoking at follow-up was associated with baseline current drinking (male ARR = 2.56; p \u3c 0.05; female ARR = 2.31; p \u3c 0.05) and, among males, only with having a parent who smoked (ARR = 1.64; p \u3c 0.05). For both sexes, dual use at follow-up was associated with baseline current drinking (male ARR = 3.52; p \u3c 0.005; female ARR = 2.77; p \u3c 0.05); among females, with having paid work (ARR = 2.50; p \u3c 0.001); and among males, with parental smoking (ARR = 3.20; p \u3c 0.05). Results suggested both common and different risk factors by sex, suggesting that interventions may need to consider targeting sex differences

Adult Smokers’ Awareness and Interest in Trying Heated Tobacco Products: Perspectives from Mexico, where HTPs and E-Cigarettes are Banned

Background: We evaluated smokers’ perceptions of heated tobacco products (HTPs) in Mexico, where industry publically lobbied to introduce HTPs into this country that banned both HTPs and e-cigarettes. Methods: Online surveys (November 2018 to July 2019) were analyzed from adults who only smoked cigarettes (n = 2091) or who smoked and used e-cigarettes (“dual users” n = 1128). Logistic models regressed HTP awareness, interest to trying HTPs, and having seen HTPs for sale (only among aware participants) on sociodemographics and tobacco-related variables. Results: Of the 17.1% who were aware of HTPs, 52.7% reported having seen HTPs for sale. Of all respondents, 75% were somewhat or very interested in trying HTPs. Compared to their counterparts, more frequent smokers, dual users, those exposed to online e-cigarette ads, and those with friends who used e-cigarettes were both more aware of and interested in trying HTPs. Greater awareness was also associated with higher education, recent attempts to quit, receipt of email e-cigarette ads, and smoking among friends and family. Seeing HTPs for sale was higher for those who recently attempted to quit, were exposed to e-cigarette ads online or by email, or had friends who used e-cigarettes. Conclusion: Interest in HTPs is high among smokers in Mexico, which already has a large black market for illegal e-cigarettes. HTPs use should be monitored in this context, especially given the public health impacts of HTPs are unclear

Se busca mercado adolescente: internet y videojuegos, las nuevas estrategias de la industria tabacalera Aiming for the adolescent market: internet and video games, the new strategies of the tobacco industry

La exposición a publicidad sobre tabaco está asociada con el inicio en el consumo, particularmente en población joven, por lo que su control es un objetivo clave para reducir la incidencia de tabaquismo. Históricamente, la industria tabacalera ha sido pionera en la utilización de tecnologías de comunicación para posicionarse ante nuevos mercados y mantener la preferencia de los consumidores. Internet y los videojuegos han trascendido el espacio del entretenimiento, convirtiéndose en medios de comunicación masiva con un alto potencial publicitario. El presente artículo hace una revisión de la literatura existente sobre la presencia de tabaco en internet y videojuegos, con la intención de definir líneas de trabajo para desarrollar mecanismos efectivos de regulación y control de la publicidad en estos medios.Exposure to tobacco advertisement is associated with smoking initiation among the youth, its elimination is a key objective to effectively curb the tobacco epidemic. Historically, the tobacco industry has pioneered the use of new communication technologies to keep and expand their market. Nowadays, Internet and video games have transcended the entertainment sphere, becoming significant media for massive communication and providing new opportunities for advertisement. The present essay reviews the existing literature on tobacco presence in the Internet and video games to define research and policy tasks required to develop effective means for tobacco advertisement regulation and control

Hacia el consumo informado de tabaco en México: efecto de las advertencias con pictogramas en población fumadora Towards informed tobacco consumption in Mexico: effect of pictorial warning labels in smokers

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el efecto de las advertencias sanitarias (AS) con pictogramas en las cajetillas de tabaco en adultos fumadores. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Cohorte de fumadores con representatividad poblacional de siete ciudades mexicanas, antes (2010) y después (2011) de la implementación de AS con pictogramas (ASP). Para determinar el cambio en las variables sobre el impacto cognitivo y conductual de las advertencias, se estimaron modelos bivariados y ajustados de ecuaciones de estimación generalizada. En el segundo levantamiento (2011), se estimaron modelos para determinar los factores que se asocian con el reporte de recordar cada advertencia que había entrado al mercado, además de los factores asociados con el autorreporte del impacto de cada advertencia vigente. RESULTADOS: Se observaron incrementos importantes de 2010 a 2011 en los conocimientos sobre los riesgos de fumar, los componentes tóxicos del tabaco y el número telefónico para recibir consejos sobre dejar de fumar. La recordación e impacto de las primeras advertencias con pictogramas parecen ser amplios y equitativos a través de la población fumadora. En comparación con 2010, un mayor nivel de ex fumadores entrevistados en 2011 reportaron que las advertencias habían influido mucho en dejar de fumar (RM=2.44, 95% IC 1.27-4.72). CONCLUSIONES: Las AS con pictogramas han logrado un impacto importante en el conocimiento y conducta, información relevante para la población y en tomadores de decisiones.<br>OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of the first pictorial warning labels on cigarette packs in Mexican smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based representative cohort of smokers from seven Mexican cities was surveyed before (2010) and after (2011) the implementation of pictorial warning labels. To determine the change variables representing the cognitive and behavioral impact of pictorial warnings, bivariate and adjusted generalized estimating equations were estimated. Data from the second survey (2011) were analyzed to determine the factors associated with aided recall of specific pictorial warnings, as well as the factors associated with self-report of the impact that these warnings had. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2011, significant increases were found in smoker's knowledge about smoking risks, the toxic components of tobacco, and the quitline number for receiving cessation assistance. Recall and impact of specific pictorial warnings was generally broad and equally distributed across the smoker population. In comparison with recent ex-smokers interviewed in 2010, more recent ex-smokers in 2011 reported that pack warnings had influenced their decision to quit (RM=2.44, 95% IC 1.27-4.72). CONCLUSION: The first pictorial warning labels on cigarette packages in Mexico have had a significant impact on knowledge and behavior

La validez predictiva de la susceptibilidad al alcohol autoevaluada al consumo de alcohol en adolescentes tempranos en América Latina

Fil: Dramis, Agustín. Applied Biostatistics Group. Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires; Argentina.Fil: Mejía, Raúl M. CEDES. Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad. Área de Salud, Economía y Sociedad; Argentina.Fil: Thrasher, James F. Department of Tobacco Research, Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health; México.Fil: Barrientos-Gutiérrez, Inti. Department of Tobacco Research, Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health; México.Fil: Sargent, James. Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; Estados Unidos.Fil: Pérez, Adriana. CEDES. Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad. Área de Salud, Economía y Sociedad; Argentina.Background: Measurement of substance use susceptibility was first conceived as part of the preparatory stage preceding youth smoking initiation and is defined as the lack of a firm commitment not to smoke in the future. Despite being a consistent and validated predictor of smoking initiation, little research has investigated whether susceptibility can predict alcohol use. This study aimed to assess the predictive validity of an adapted alcohol susceptibility measure among early adolescent students in Argentina and Mexico who had not previously consumed alcohol. Methods: A school-based longitudinal study was conducted among first-year students in 33 secondary schools in Argentina and 57 in Mexico. The baseline sample included 1,504 never-drinker adolescents in Argentina and 5,264 in Mexico, of whom 1,055 and 3,540, respectively, completed a follow-up survey a year and a half later. Logistic regression with school as a random effect was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios for the transitions from never-drinker to ever-drinker, current drinker, and binge drinker. Results: At baseline, 34% and 23.6% of adolescent never-users were susceptible to alcohol in Argentina and Mexico, respectively. After controlling for other known predictors of alcohol use initiation, alcohol susceptibility was positively associated with ever-drinking (OR = 3.23, 95% CI 2.38-4.36 in Argentina, OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.43-2.10 in Mexico), current drinking (OR = 2.41, 95% CI 1.71-3.4 in Argentina, OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.37-2.28 in Mexico), and binge drinking (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.78-2.91 in Argentina, OR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.32-1.99 in Mexico). Conclusions: The adapted susceptibility measure for alcohol appears valid for identifying individuals or groups at risk of drinking initiation and problematic drinking among early adolescents in Argentina and Mexico

Autorreporte de exposición a publicidad y promoción de tabaco en una cohorte de fumadores mexicanos Tobacco advertising and promotions: changes in reported exposure in a cohort of Mexican smokers

OBJETIVO: Determinar en población fumadora el nivel de exposición a la mercadotecnia de la industria tabacalera (IT), a través de diferentes métodos de promocionar sus productos, antes y durante la publicación de la Ley General para el Control del Tabaco (LGCT) en 2008. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohorte en fumadores adultos (n=941 pre-LGCT y n=1 051 post-LGCT) de cuatro ciudades mexicanas. Se realizaron análisis multivariados mediante modelos de ecuaciones de estimación generalizada (GEE). RESULTADOS: Se incrementó el autorreporte de recepción de muestras gratis de cigarros (3.7 a 8.1%), ropa o artículos con marcas o logos (3.6 a 6.4%), haber visto información sobre eventos especiales (1.9 a 4.7%), y publicidad en bares y discotecas para mayores de edad (21.4 a 28%). Se observaron decrementos de publicidad en exteriores (54.7 a 47.2%). CONCLUSIÓN: Es necesaria una política integral con prohibiciones totales de la publicidad y promoción de los productos de tabaco que integre mayor vigilancia y sanciones para lograr la disminución y prevención del consumo de tabaco.<br>OBJECTIVE: To determine in a population-based sample of smokers the level exposure to tobacco industry marketing through different channels before and after their restriction through the General Tobacco Control Law of 2008. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were analyzed from a cohort of adult smokers from four Mexican cities who were surveyed in 2007 and 2008. GEE models were estimated for each indicator of advertising and promotion exposure. RESULTS: Increases were found in report of receiving free samples of tobacco (3.7-8.1%), branded clothing (3.6-6.4%), noticing tobacco industry sponsored events (1.9-4.7%) and noticing ads in bars (21.4-28%). Noticing outdoor advertising decreased over this time (54.7 a 47.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm tobacco industry shifting of marketing efforts when advertising and promotion bans are not comprehensive. There is a need to monitor compliance with marketing bans while working to make them comprehensive