Single cigarette purchasers among adult U.S. smokers

Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. The purchase of single cigarettes, known as loosies, allows for a more affordable cost than a pack of cigarettes. Many of the existing studies on loose cigarettes have used a small non-generalizable sample. This stud...

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Main Authors: Sunday Azagba, Lingpeng Shan, Lauren C. Manzione, Keely Latham, Charles Rogers, Fares Qeadan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-03-01
Series:Preventive Medicine Reports
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335520300152
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author Sunday Azagba
Lingpeng Shan
Lauren C. Manzione
Keely Latham
Charles Rogers
Fares Qeadan
author_facet Sunday Azagba
Lingpeng Shan
Lauren C. Manzione
Keely Latham
Charles Rogers
Fares Qeadan
author_sort Sunday Azagba
collection DOAJ
description Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. The purchase of single cigarettes, known as loosies, allows for a more affordable cost than a pack of cigarettes. Many of the existing studies on loose cigarettes have used a small non-generalizable sample. This study examined the sociodemographic characteristics of loosie purchasers among adult cigarette smokers in the United States. Data from the 2006/07–2014/15 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey were analyzed. The sociodemographic characteristics of loosie users were examined by multivariable logistic regression. In 2014–2015, approximately 5.4% of adult smokers reported purchasing loosies compared to 3.7% in 2006–2007. Men (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.10–1.35), non-Hispanic Blacks (OR 3.30, 95% CI 2.89–3.77), Hispanics (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.67–2.32), and those living in a metropolitan area (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02–1.33) had significantly higher odds of single cigarette purchase. Single cigarette use also varied by age, marital status, employment, and geographic region. Menthol cigarette smokers had higher odds of purchasing loosies compared to non-menthol smokers. Likewise, cigarette quit intention was significantly associated with odds of buying loosies. The prevalence of single cigarette purchases among smokers appears to be lower in a national sample compared to previous estimates reported in specific populations. However, certain subpopulations were more likely to purchase a single cigarette and may contribute to persistent disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. Preventing the sale of loosies may improve the health outcomes of underserved communities, specifically those with low socioeconomic status. Keywords: Single cigarette, Loosies, Smoking, Adults
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spelling doaj.art-5bb5021f115b417bacacc599b3f7ed922022-12-22T02:57:00ZengElsevierPreventive Medicine Reports2211-33552020-03-0117Single cigarette purchasers among adult U.S. smokersSunday Azagba0Lingpeng Shan1Lauren C. Manzione2Keely Latham3Charles Rogers4Fares Qeadan5Corresponding author at: Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Division of Public Health, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way, Suite A, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, United States.; Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, United StatesDepartment of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, United StatesDepartment of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, United StatesDepartment of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, United StatesDepartment of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, United StatesDepartment of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, United StatesCigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. The purchase of single cigarettes, known as loosies, allows for a more affordable cost than a pack of cigarettes. Many of the existing studies on loose cigarettes have used a small non-generalizable sample. This study examined the sociodemographic characteristics of loosie purchasers among adult cigarette smokers in the United States. Data from the 2006/07–2014/15 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey were analyzed. The sociodemographic characteristics of loosie users were examined by multivariable logistic regression. In 2014–2015, approximately 5.4% of adult smokers reported purchasing loosies compared to 3.7% in 2006–2007. Men (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.10–1.35), non-Hispanic Blacks (OR 3.30, 95% CI 2.89–3.77), Hispanics (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.67–2.32), and those living in a metropolitan area (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02–1.33) had significantly higher odds of single cigarette purchase. Single cigarette use also varied by age, marital status, employment, and geographic region. Menthol cigarette smokers had higher odds of purchasing loosies compared to non-menthol smokers. Likewise, cigarette quit intention was significantly associated with odds of buying loosies. The prevalence of single cigarette purchases among smokers appears to be lower in a national sample compared to previous estimates reported in specific populations. However, certain subpopulations were more likely to purchase a single cigarette and may contribute to persistent disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. Preventing the sale of loosies may improve the health outcomes of underserved communities, specifically those with low socioeconomic status. Keywords: Single cigarette, Loosies, Smoking, Adultshttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335520300152
spellingShingle Sunday Azagba
Lingpeng Shan
Lauren C. Manzione
Keely Latham
Charles Rogers
Fares Qeadan
Single cigarette purchasers among adult U.S. smokers
Preventive Medicine Reports
title Single cigarette purchasers among adult U.S. smokers
title_full Single cigarette purchasers among adult U.S. smokers
title_fullStr Single cigarette purchasers among adult U.S. smokers
title_full_unstemmed Single cigarette purchasers among adult U.S. smokers
title_short Single cigarette purchasers among adult U.S. smokers
title_sort single cigarette purchasers among adult u s smokers
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335520300152
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