Racial/Ethnic Differences in Associations of Noncigarette Tobacco Product Use with Subsequent Initiation of Cigarettes in US Youths
Abstract Introduction Understanding which noncigarette tobacco products precede smoking in youth across different racial/ethnic groups can inform policies that consider tobacco related health disparities. Methods We used nationally representative, longitudinal data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study waves 1-4. The sample was a dynamic cohort of cigarette-naïve youth aged 12-17 years. Mixed effects models were used to assess noncigarette product [e-cigarette, cigar product, or other product] use with cigarette use over 1-year intervals. Results Of the 28,788 observations pooled across waves 1-4, respondents were 48.7% non-Hispanic white, 13.9% non-Hispanic black, and 23.1% Hispanic. Odds of cigarette initiation over 1-year follow up were higher among youth with prior use of e-cigarettes (OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 2.21-3.45), cigars (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.42-2.80), or other products (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.28-2.14) compared to never users. At the population level, 20.6% of cigarette initiation was attributable to e-cigarette use among white youth and 21.6% among Hispanic youth, while only 3.5% of cigarette initiation was attributable to e-cigarette use among black youth. In contrast, 9.1% of cigarette initiation for black youth was attributable to cigar use compared to only 3.9% for both white and Hispanic youth. Conclusions Prior use of e-cigarettes, cigars, and other noncigarette products were all associated with subsequent cigarette initiation. However, white and Hispanic youth were more likely to initiate cigarettes through e-cigarette use (vs. cigar or other product use), while black youth were more likely to initiate cigarettes through cigar use (vs. e-cigarette or other product use). Implications Our findings suggest that previous studies on effects of noncigarette tobacco products may overlook the critical role of cigar products as a pathway into cigarette smoking among US youth, particularly black youth. While our data support the importance of e-cigarette use as a pathway into smoking, regulatory actions aimed at addressing youth e-cigarette use alone may contribute to disparities in black vs. white tobacco use and further exacerbate inequities in tobacco-related disease. Thus, contemporary policy development and discourse about the effects of noncigarette tobacco products on cigarette initiation should consider cigar and other noncigarette products as well as e-cigarettes.