Comparing Factors Related to Any Conventional Cigarette Smokers, Exclusive New Alternative Product Users, and Non-Users among Japanese Youth: A Nationwide Survey

Yuki Kuwabara, Aya Kinjo, Maya Fujii, Aya Imamoto, Yoneatsu Osaki, Ann McNeill and Nicholas Beckley-Hoelscher
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Yuki Kuwabara: Division of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
Aya Kinjo: Division of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
Maya Fujii: Division of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
Aya Imamoto: Division of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
Yoneatsu Osaki: Division of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori 683-8503, Japan
Ann McNeill: National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London SE5 8BB, UK
Nicholas Beckley-Hoelscher: School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, UK

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: The impact of heated-tobacco-products (HTPs) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on youth is a controversial public health issue, as it is unknown whether alternative products result in more youth using such products or smoking. In Japan, e-cigarettes with nicotine are prohibited, but e-cigarettes without nicotine are available. HTPs are marketed as tobacco products. Within this unique context, we aimed to compare any conventional cigarette smokers (including those who also used alternative products) with exclusive users of alternative products and examine factors relating to their use in Japan. In 2017, 22,275 students in grades 7–9 (age 12–15) and 42,142 in grades 10–12 (age 15–18) nationwide were surveyed. Overall, 1.8% were current users of any of the three products over the last month. Multivariable analysis revealed that risk factors for alternative product use were the same as those for cigarette use. Among all users, exclusive new product users were more likely to participate in club activities and intend to continue to higher education; any conventional cigarette users (including those who also used alternative products) were more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke at home and to drink alcohol. Reducing adult smoking and disseminating health education remain relevant as strategies for preventing adolescents’ future tobacco use.

Keywords: cigarette smoking; e-cigarettes; tobacco use; adolescents; smoking; heat-not-burn tobacco; heated tobacco product; Japan; tobacco control policies; WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC); noncombustible tobacco/nicotine products; harm reduction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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