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Abstract
Background Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are often marketed as a safer alternative to help cigarette smokers quit. We investigated the link between HTP use and smoking cessation and relapse.
Methods 7044 adults (≥20 years old) with at least two observations over three waves (2019–2021) of a longitudinal, nationwide, internet-based survey were classified into current (past 30-day), former and never cigarette smokers. ≥1 month and ≥6 months smoking cessation and smoking relapse at 1-year follow-up were assessed in relation to current HTP use at baseline. Generalised estimating equation models were weighted to account for population differences between HTP users and non-users. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) were computed within population subgroups.
Results At baseline, 17.2%, 9.1% and 6.1% of the respondents were current cigarette smokers, HTP users and dual users, respectively. Among current established smokers (having smoked regularly, n=1910), HTP use was significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of ≥1 month cessation within those who reported having used evidence-based cessation measures (APR=0.61), smoking 20+ cigarettes per day (APR=0.62), high school education or less (APR=0.73) and fair/poor health (APR=0.59). Negative associations were also seen for ≥6 months cessation among those aged 20–29 years (APR=0.56) and full-time workers (APR=0.56). Among former smokers (n=2906), HTP use was associated with smoking relapse within those who last smoked >1 year ago (APR=1.54), among women (APR=1.61), those aged 20–29 years (APR=2.09), those reporting high school education or less (APR=2.36), those who were unemployed/retired (AOR=3.31) and never/non-current alcohol users (APR=2.10).
Conclusion HTP use did not help smokers quit or prevent former smokers from relapsing. HTPs should not be recommended as a cessation aid.
- Cessation
- Denormalization
- Non-cigarette tobacco products
- Surveillance and monitoring
Data availability statement
Data are available upon reasonable request. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the author (TT) upon reasonable request.
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Data availability statement
Data are available upon reasonable request. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the author (TT) upon reasonable request.
Footnotes
Contributors SO and KT equally contributed to designing the study. SO conducted data analysis and drafted the manuscript. TT designed the survey, monitored data collection, and conceptualised the study. TT is responsible for the overall content as guarantor. All authors contributed to data interpretation and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript.
Funding This study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI Grant (#21H04856) and Health Labour Sciences Research Grant (#19FA1005, 19FA1012, 19FA1011 and 20FA1005).
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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