Advancing the Science on the Impact of Cigar Package Quantity on Cigar Use Behaviors

PROJECT SUMMARY Cigars carry many of the same health risks as cigarettes yet have historically been subject to fewer regulations. For instance, while cigarettes must be sold in packs of at least 20 and are only available in one characterizing flavor (i.e., menthol), the cigar market is much more diverse, with cigar products available in a variety of flavors, packaging sizes, and styles. Not coincidentally, there have been increases in cigar sales over the past decade, while cigarette sales continue to decline. Cigar pack size is a modifiable factor that may facilitate addiction and influence patterns of cigar use. Existing research suggests that small cigar pack sizes are inexpensive, appeal to vulnerable, price-sensitive populations, and may facilitate experimentation, while larger pack sizes may increase consumption and delay cessation among more established users. However, this body of research is scant and there is a need for more research on the cigar marketplace and the impact of cigar pack size on product appeal, intentions, and use. As such, we propose a series of complementary studies to fill these gaps in the literature. Specifically, this project aims to: 1) characterize changes in cigar pack size over time and assess its impact on sales, consumption, and patterns of use using secondary data sources (i.e., Nielsen and the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study); and 2) examine how pack size, price, and flavor affect product preferences among heterogenous populations via two discrete choice experiments. This research will provide rigorous empirical data to advance the science on the underlying mechanisms of the associations between cigar pack size and use across geographic and sociodemographic groups.