Per-pack price reductions available from different cigarette purchasing strategies: United States, 2009–2010

ObjectiveFollowing cigarette excise tax increases, smokers may use cigarette price minimization strategies to continue their usual cigarette consumption rather than reducing consumption or quitting. This reduces the public health benefits of the tax increase. This paper estimates the price reductions for a wide-range of strategies, compensating for overlapping strategies.MethodWe performed regression analysis on the 2009–2010 National Adult Tobacco Survey (N = 13,394) to explore price reductions that smokers in the United States obtained from purchasing cigarettes. We examined five cigarette price minimization strategies: 1) purchasing discount brand cigarettes, 2) using price promotions, 3) purchasing cartons, 4) purchasing on Indian reservations, and 5) purchasing online. Price reductions from these strategies were estimated jointly to compensate for overlapping strategies.ResultsEach strategy provided price reductions between 26 and 99 cents per pack. Combined price reductions were possible. Additionally, price promotions were used with regular brands to obtain larger price reductions than when price promotions were used with generic brands.ConclusionSmokers can realize large price reductions from price minimization strategies, and there are many strategies available. Policymakers and public health officials should be aware of the extent that these strategies can reduce cigarette prices.     

山西营养与慢性病家庭队列人群体质指数与死亡率的关系

目的 分析山西营养与慢性病家庭队列人群BMI与总死亡率的关系。方法 以"2002年中国居民营养与健康状况调查"山西省调查人群为基线建立队列，于2015年12月至2016年3月对研究对象进行随访调查，对逝者进行死因回顾调查。2002年基线信息完整的≥ 18岁研究对象7 007人，随访到5 360人，随访率为76.5%。将研究对象按BMI分为8组，计算死亡率，以死亡率最低组作为参照，采用Cox比例风险回归模型估计全人群、分性别、年龄（≥ 60岁、<60岁）的各组死亡风险比（HR）及95% CI，模型调整基线年龄、性别、吸烟、饮酒、文化程度等因素，并进行敏感性分析。结果 共随访67 129人年，平均随访12.5年，死亡615人，队列总死亡率为916/10万人年。BMI为26.0~27.9 kg/m²组死亡率最低，以该组为参照组，多因素调整后，BMI<18.5、18.5~19.9、22.0~23.9和≥ 30.0 kg/m²组的死亡风险明显升高，调整HR值（95% CI）分别为1.90（1.26~2.86）、1.68（1.15~2.45）、1.49（1.08~2.06）和1.72（1.07~2.76）。对于≥ 60岁老年人，BMI<18.5 kg/m²组的死亡风险明显升高，调整HR值（95% CI）为1.94（1.20~3.15）。结论 BMI ≤ 19.9、22.0~23.9及≥ 30.0 kg/m²均会增加全因死亡风险。除关注肥胖外，低体重营养不良造成的老年人高死亡风险应特别引起重视。     

Are secondhand smoke-related diseases of children associated with parental smoking cessation? Determinants of parental smoking cessation in a population-based cohort study

ObjectiveLittle is known about whether secondhand smoke (SHS)-related diseases of young children, such as asthma, induce parental smoking cessation during the early child-rearing period. Our objective was therefore to show the association in addition to other potential determinants of parental cessation.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Longitudinal Survey of Newborns in the 21st Century in Japan, from 0.5 years (N = 47,015) to 4.5 years (N = 39,817), having selected participants whose parents smoked at baseline (maternal smoking N = 8,037; paternal smoking N = 28,486). Multivariable log-binomial regression models were used to calculate the prevalence ratios for parental smoking cessation according to the onset of SHS-related diseases of their children, using inverse probability weight to account for non-response at follow-up.ResultsA total of 16.7% of smoking mothers and 14.5% of smoking fathers had stopped smoking at follow-up. The onset of SHS-related children's diseases was not statistically significantly associated with either maternal or paternal smoking cessation after multivariable adjustments. Strong determinants were, for example, number of cigarettes smoked per day and partner's smoking status during follow-up.ConclusionSHS-related children's diseases were not associated with parental smoking cessation. It may therefore be necessary to provide additional support for parental smoking cessation within their child's medical care setting.     

Tobacco use disparities by racial/ethnic groups: California compared to the United States

Racial/ethnic disparities in cigarette use and cessation persist. This study compared cigarette consumption and former smoking trends in California (CA) with the rest of the United States (US) by racial/ethnic categories of non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander groups. Data were analyzed from the 1992 to 2011 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. Consumption levels across decades were examined and adjusted logistic regression models were fit to compare across CA and US.Results indicated steady declines in ever smoking prevalence for all groups with much lower magnitudes of change among US Blacks and Whites compared to their CA counterparts. After controlling for age, gender, and education, CA had significantly fewer heavy smokers (OR = 0.45, 95% CI:0.38–0.54), more light and intermittent smokers (LITS; OR = 1.68, 95%CI: 1.45–1.93), and a greater proportion of former smokers (OR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.24–1.48) than the rest of US. Data were stratified by race/ethnicity and the patterns shown were mostly consistent with CA performing statistically better than their US counterparts with the exception of Black LITS and Asian/Pacific Islander former smokers. California's success in reducing tobacco use disparities may serve as a prime example of tobacco control policy for the country. CA and the US will need to continue to address tobacco use and cessation in the context of the growing diversity of the population.     

Cervical cytology screening among low-income,minority adolescents in New York City following the 2009 ACOG guidelines

ObjectivesIn December 2009, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that cervical cancer screening begin at age 21 for young women. In this study, we examine receipt of first lifetime Papanicolaou (Pap) test and predictors of over-screening among adolescents within a large urban ambulatory care network.MethodsWe compared the proportion of first lifetime Pap test of adolescents aged 13–20 years between June 2007 — November 2009 (n = 7700) and December 2009–June 2012 (n = 9637) using electronic health records. We employed multivariable regression models to identify demographic and health care factors associated with receiving a first lifetime Pap test at age < 21 years in the post-guideline period (over-screening).ResultsThe proportion of Pap tests declined from 19.3% to 4.2% (p < 0.001) between the two periods. Multivariable logistic regression results showed receiving care from gynecologic/obstetric/family planning clinics compared to pediatric clinics, having more clinic encounters, and older age were associated with over-screening in the post-guideline period.ConclusionsWe found that guideline adherence differed by clinic type, insurance status, and health care encounters. In the quickly evolving field of cervical cancer control, it is important to monitor practice trends as they relate to shifts in population-based guidelines, especially in high-risk populations.