Cigar-Smoking-Cessation Interest and Experience among Black Young Adults: A Semi-Structured In-Depth Interview Investigation

Aniruddh Ajith, Aaron Broun, Danielle A. Duarte, Bambi Jewett, Lilianna Phan, Erin L. Mead-Morse, Mignonne C. Guy, Kelvin Choi and Julia Chen-Sankey
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Aniruddh Ajith: Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Aaron Broun: Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Danielle A. Duarte: Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Bambi Jewett: Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Lilianna Phan: Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Erin L. Mead-Morse: School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
Mignonne C. Guy: Department of African American Studies, College of Humanities & Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23220, USA
Kelvin Choi: Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Julia Chen-Sankey: Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: Although Black/African American populations have high cigar-smoking prevalence, little is known about cigar-smoking cessation among this group. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of cigar-smoking cessation and assistance received from healthcare providers among forty Black young-adult cigar smokers (ages 21–29). Semi-structured in-depth phone interviews were transcribed and coded. Qualitative data were analyzed by using thematic analysis. Participants mostly smoked cigarillos, large cigars, and blunts. Overall, many regular cigarillo smokers reported interest in quitting eventually, while large-cigar and blunt smokers shared less interest in quitting because they perceived low harm from smoking these products. The reasons for cigar-smoking cessation were health concerns and financial constraints. Most of the participants who attempted to quit cigars did not use any cessation aids. The reasons for relapse included nicotine withdrawal, stress, and easy access. Additionally, most participants reported their healthcare providers did not ask whether they smoked cigars, and even when they knew, little assistance for cigar-smoking cessation was provided. Informing Black cigar smokers of the harm of cigar smoking and encouraging healthcare providers to screen for and assist with cigar-smoking cessation may alleviate the health burden of cigar smoking in this population.

Keywords: cigar smoking; African American; young adults; cigar-smoking cessation; healthcare provider counseling; health disparities; health equity; minority health; in-depth interviews; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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