Cue Reactivity Effects of Heated Tobacco Product Use in Current, Former, and Never Smokers in the United States.

INTRODUCTION

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) share similar characteristics as combustible cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and thus may serve as cues for smoking and vaping. While HTP familiarity is low in the United States, HTPs may be perceived as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes.

AIMS AND METHODS

The present study examined if visual exposure to HTP use influenced cigarette and e-cigarette craving in a large national sample of adults with varied smoking patterns. Current, former, and never cigarette smokers (N = 515; Mage = 40) were recruited from online crowd-sourcing panels throughout the United States from January to April 2020. Participants completed surveys before and after watching a video depicting the use of an HTP, cigarette, or bottled water. Main outcomes were changes in cigarette craving after exposure to the video cue. Secondary outcomes included changes in e-cigarette craving.

RESULTS

Relative to the water cue, the HTP and cigarette cues increased cigarette craving in current smokers. The HTP cue also increased e-cigarette craving (desire for a mod or vape pen and JUUL) across all subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Current smokers demonstrated cue reactivity to the use of an HTP as they reported increases in both cigarette and e-cigarette craving after exposure. All smoking groups reported e-cigarette reactivity to the HTP cue. As HTPs gain traction globally, it is crucial to consider how their use may influence active users and passive viewers to inform future health policies.

IMPLICATIONS

Noncombustible nicotine delivery systems are known cues for cigarette smoking and e-cigarette vaping, and this study examined whether relatively novel heated tobacco products (HTPs) may also act as a smoking or vaping cue in adults across varied smoking backgrounds. Results showed that passive exposure to HTP use increased desire for both a cigarette and an e-cigarette in current smokers and also increased desire for an e-cigarette in former and nonsmokers. Thus given its similarity to smoking and vaping, HTP use may affect passive observers and could play a role in perpetuating the dual use of cigarettes and vape products.