Exploring the hypothetical impact of flavored cigar sales restrictions among black young adult cigar smokers: a semi-structured in-depth interview investigation

J Ethn Subst Abuse. 2024 Jul-Sep;23(3):501-519. doi: 10.1080/15332640.2022.2109089. Epub 2022 Aug 9.

Abstract

This study assessed the hypothetical impact of flavored cigar sales restrictions on cigar smoking among Black young adult cigar smokers (ages 21-29). Forty in-depth interviews were conducted in 2020. Interviews were independently coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. When asked how they would smoke cigars given a flavor sales restriction, half of participants reported they would smoke in the same way, a third would stop or reduce smoking, and a few were unsure of what they would do. Cigar smoking outcome expectancies, preference for flavors, and perceived addictiveness of cigar products may predict cigar smoking change given flavor sales restrictions.

Keywords: Black or African American; Cigars; blunts; cigar flavor sales restrictions; cigarillos; health disparities; minority health; qualitative study; tobacco.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black or African American* / psychology
  • Cigar Smoking* / ethnology
  • Commerce
  • Female
  • Flavoring Agents*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Smokers / psychology
  • Tobacco Products / economics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Flavoring Agents