Study Shows Significant Rise in Cigar Use Among Young Adults

A study released in the October issue of the American Journal of Public Health measures brand usage trends and the prevelance of cigar use among specific populations. The study is the first of its kind.

Cigars and cigarillos have become an emerging issue in tobacco control in recent years, in part because of their appeal to young people through lower prices and sweet flavors. Little cigars are similar in size and appearance to cigarettes. Cigarettes are wrapped in white paper, while little cigars are wrapped in brown paper, which contains some tobacco leaf. Increased use of these products is a concern, as users believe that cigarillos and little cigars are less harmful than cigarettes. However, like cigarettes, cigars pose significant health risks.

The top five brands were Black & Mild, Swisher Sweets, Phillies, White Owl, and Garcia Y Vega, all of which are primarily cigarillos or little cigar products. Use of these brands was most prevelant with younger, male, black non-hispanics, with a propensity for risk behavior, and those reporting current cigarette, marijuana, and blunt use.

Cigars continue to come in a variety of flavors, such as cherry, chocolate, vanilla, peach, rum, raspberry, and sour apple. Additionally, packaging on these products does not always carry a warning label, and so health warnings may go unnoticed by cigar users.

Full article can be read: http://www.legacyforhealth.org/4697.aspx