Document Type
Article
Abstract
Background: We evaluated smokers’ perceptions of heated tobacco products (HTPs) in Mexico, where industry publically lobbied to introduce HTPs into this country that banned both HTPs and e-cigarettes. Methods: Online surveys (November 2018 to July 2019) were analyzed from adults who only smoked cigarettes (n = 2091) or who smoked and used e-cigarettes (“dual users” n = 1128). Logistic models regressed HTP awareness, interest to trying HTPs, and having seen HTPs for sale (only among aware participants) on sociodemographics and tobacco-related variables. Results: Of the 17.1% who were aware of HTPs, 52.7% reported having seen HTPs for sale. Of all respondents, 75% were somewhat or very interested in trying HTPs. Compared to their counterparts, more frequent smokers, dual users, those exposed to online e-cigarette ads, and those with friends who used e-cigarettes were both more aware of and interested in trying HTPs. Greater awareness was also associated with higher education, recent attempts to quit, receipt of email e-cigarette ads, and smoking among friends and family. Seeing HTPs for sale was higher for those who recently attempted to quit, were exposed to e-cigarette ads online or by email, or had friends who used e-cigarettes. Conclusion: Interest in HTPs is high among smokers in Mexico, which already has a large black market for illegal e-cigarettes. HTPs use should be monitored in this context, especially given the public health impacts of HTPs are unclear.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Publication Info
Published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Volume 17, Issue 7, 2020, pages 2173-.
Rights
© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
APA Citation
Cruz-Jiménez, L., Barrientos-Gutiérrez, I., Coutiño-Escamilla, L., Gallegos-Carrillo, K., Arillo-Santillán, E., & Thrasher, J. F. (2020). Adult smokers’ awareness and interest in trying heated tobacco products: Perspectives from mexico, where htps and e-cigarettes are banned. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7), 2173. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072173