Exploring the Experiences and Perceptions of Cigar Craving and Addiction among Young Adult Black Cigar Smokers

Maryam Elhabashy, Lilianna Phan, Kristen R. Hamilton-Moseley, Aaron Broun, Danielle A. Duarte, Aniruddh Ajith, Bambi Jewett, Erin L. Mead-Morse, Kelvin Choi and Julia Chen-Sankey
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Maryam Elhabashy: Center for Tobacco Studies, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Lilianna Phan: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Division of Intramural Research, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Kristen R. Hamilton-Moseley: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Division of Intramural Research, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Aaron Broun: Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
Danielle A. Duarte: Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
Aniruddh Ajith: School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA
Bambi Jewett: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Division of Intramural Research, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Erin L. Mead-Morse: School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
Kelvin Choi: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Division of Intramural Research, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Julia Chen-Sankey: Center for Tobacco Studies, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: Black young adults have the highest prevalence of cigar smoking in the U.S. Little is known about how this population perceives addiction to cigar smoking, which may influence long-term smoking and cessation outcomes. This study used semi-structured in-depth interviews to understand cravings, triggers, and perceived addiction from cigar smoking among a purposive sample of Black young adult cigar smokers ( N = 40; 21–29 years). An iterative process was used to develop the codebook, and thematic analysis was used to capture findings based on the products predominantly used: cigarillos, large cigars, or blunts. Results suggest that while participants may share similar types of cravings and triggers (e.g., stress) across the use of these products, predominant blunt smokers reported more unique triggers related to relieving physical discomforts. While most participants reported cigars could be addictive to people in general, only a few perceived that they themselves were addicted. Participants who predominantly smoked cigarillos reported high perceived addiction to cigars, while those who predominantly smoked blunts reported low addiction. Education messages are needed to inform young Black adult cigar smokers about the risks and health symptoms of cigar addiction. These efforts may help increase cigar cessation seeking and reduce cigar addiction-related health consequences and disparities among Black populations.

Keywords: cigar addiction; African Americans; health disparities; 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: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6680-:d:827963

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