National

New report from SAMHSA: Recent trends in menthol cigarette use
According to a new report by SAMHSA, the overall use of menthol cigarettes among those aged 12 and above increased between the time period of 2004 and 2010. When looking at specific subgroups during that time, rates of menthol cigarette use increased among young adults between ages 18 to 25, while remaining stable among those 12 to 17 and those 26 and older. The data also revealed that over half of newly-established smokers (those who smoked their first cigarette in the past year), 51.7%, had smoked menthol cigarettes in the past month. The authors suggest focusing interventions on reducing the initiation and appeal of menthol cigarettes, especially among those under the age of 18, to reduce uptake of menthol cigarette use. They also recommend that better access to smoking prevention and cessation programs is needed among populations with increasing menthol use, such as young adults and blacks. Click here to read the report.

Smokeless and flavored tobacco products in the U.S.: 2009 Styles Survey results
According to a new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, awareness of non-cigarette tobacco products varies between subgroups. Researchers used data from a cross-sectional survey to determine the percentage of adults who had heard of and tried snus, dissolvable tobacco products, flavored little cigars and flavored cigarettes. A subset of participants also completed a survey about their health perceptions of these products and use of products within the thirty days prior to filling out the survey. The results show that adults’ awareness and use of the products varied, and young adults, males, and smokers were more likely to have heard about the products. The researchers conclude that ongoing surveillance of new tobacco products and their use is needed as the availability of products changes over time. Click here to read the study abstract.

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