Perceptions of emerging tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy among pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy

The increasing availability of emerging non-combusted tobacco products (snus, dissolvables, and electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS) may have implications for pregnant women and women of reproductive age. We conducted 15 focus groups to explore how women perceive emerging non-combusted toba...

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Main Authors: Lucinda J. England, MD, MSPH, Van T. Tong, MPH, Amber Koblitz, PhD, MPH, Julia Kish-Doto, PhD MS, Molly M. Lynch, MPH, Brian G. Southwell, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2016-12-01
Series:Preventive Medicine Reports
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301085
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author Lucinda J. England, MD, MSPH
Van T. Tong, MPH
Amber Koblitz, PhD, MPH
Julia Kish-Doto, PhD MS
Molly M. Lynch, MPH
Brian G. Southwell, PhD
author_facet Lucinda J. England, MD, MSPH
Van T. Tong, MPH
Amber Koblitz, PhD, MPH
Julia Kish-Doto, PhD MS
Molly M. Lynch, MPH
Brian G. Southwell, PhD
author_sort Lucinda J. England, MD, MSPH
collection DOAJ
description The increasing availability of emerging non-combusted tobacco products (snus, dissolvables, and electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS) may have implications for pregnant women and women of reproductive age. We conducted 15 focus groups to explore how women perceive emerging non-combusted tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in general, and during pregnancy. Sessions were held in 2013 in four U.S. cities. Participants were 18–40 years old and were pregnant smokers, pregnant quitters, or smokers planning a pregnancy. Responses were coded and analyzed to identify key themes using NVivo 10.0 qualitative software (QSR).Several themes emerged from focus groups. Participants generally found snus unappealing, but viewed dissolvables as a discreet and stigma-free way to use tobacco during pregnancy. Participants perceived NRT as ineffective and having undesired side effects. ENDS were thought to offer advantages over cigarettes, including use in smoke-free areas, lower cost, appealing flavors, and fewer health effects, and were seen by some as a potential quit aid. Some participants, however, worried that the lack of natural stopping point could lead to excessive use. Many participants felt that the use of any tobacco or NRT product is harmful during pregnancy.Women seeking to reduce health risks or stigma related to smoking during pregnancy may perceive advantages of using some emerging products over cigarettes. These findings can inform future public health efforts to reduce risks associated with tobacco product use among women of reproductive age. Keywords: Pregnancy, Focus groups, Tobacco, Electronic cigarettes, Nicotine replacement therapy
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spelling doaj.art-ecd8b18e5fc4434b850ac9fe0b76d9132022-12-21T20:26:07ZengElsevierPreventive Medicine Reports2211-33552016-12-014481485Perceptions of emerging tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy among pregnant women and women planning a pregnancyLucinda J. England, MD, MSPH0Van T. Tong, MPH1Amber Koblitz, PhD, MPH2Julia Kish-Doto, PhD MS3Molly M. Lynch, MPH4Brian G. Southwell, PhD5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States; Corresponding author at: 4770 Buford Highway NE MS F-79 Atlanta, GA 30341, United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United StatesCenter for Tobacco Products, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United StatesRTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United StatesRTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United StatesRTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United StatesThe increasing availability of emerging non-combusted tobacco products (snus, dissolvables, and electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS) may have implications for pregnant women and women of reproductive age. We conducted 15 focus groups to explore how women perceive emerging non-combusted tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in general, and during pregnancy. Sessions were held in 2013 in four U.S. cities. Participants were 18–40 years old and were pregnant smokers, pregnant quitters, or smokers planning a pregnancy. Responses were coded and analyzed to identify key themes using NVivo 10.0 qualitative software (QSR).Several themes emerged from focus groups. Participants generally found snus unappealing, but viewed dissolvables as a discreet and stigma-free way to use tobacco during pregnancy. Participants perceived NRT as ineffective and having undesired side effects. ENDS were thought to offer advantages over cigarettes, including use in smoke-free areas, lower cost, appealing flavors, and fewer health effects, and were seen by some as a potential quit aid. Some participants, however, worried that the lack of natural stopping point could lead to excessive use. Many participants felt that the use of any tobacco or NRT product is harmful during pregnancy.Women seeking to reduce health risks or stigma related to smoking during pregnancy may perceive advantages of using some emerging products over cigarettes. These findings can inform future public health efforts to reduce risks associated with tobacco product use among women of reproductive age. Keywords: Pregnancy, Focus groups, Tobacco, Electronic cigarettes, Nicotine replacement therapyhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301085
spellingShingle Lucinda J. England, MD, MSPH
Van T. Tong, MPH
Amber Koblitz, PhD, MPH
Julia Kish-Doto, PhD MS
Molly M. Lynch, MPH
Brian G. Southwell, PhD
Perceptions of emerging tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy among pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy
Preventive Medicine Reports
title Perceptions of emerging tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy among pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy
title_full Perceptions of emerging tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy among pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy
title_fullStr Perceptions of emerging tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy among pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions of emerging tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy among pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy
title_short Perceptions of emerging tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy among pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy
title_sort perceptions of emerging tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy among pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301085
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