Poly-tobacco product use among a representative sample of Chinese current smokers: a population survey

Abstract

BackgroundPoly-tobacco product use is increasingly popular, but little is known about the patterns, trends of concomitant use, and risk factors particularly in non-western countries.MethodA representative sample of 1139 current cigarette smokers aged 15+ (84.1% male) were telephone interviewed in Tobacco Control Policy-related Surveys in 2015-2017. Information collected included poly-tobacco use (PTU), smoking and socio-demographic characteristics. Associations of current PTU with related risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression with adjustment for confounders. Prevalence was weighted by age and sex of current cigarette users in the general population.Results 15.9% (95% CI 13.4-18.6%) were current poly-users, 12.3% (10.2-14.8%) used one tobacco product and 2.52% (1.59-3.97%) used two tobacco products in addition to cigarette. The co-use of cigarette with cigar was more common and the least co-use product was e-cigarette with cigarette. By age group, proportion of co-use of cigarette with waterpipe was highest in young poly-users, older age used more cigar and self-rolling cigarette in addition to cigarette. Prevalence of two products use with cigarette was low. Trends of concomitant use were varied. Current PTU was associated with being male (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.12-3.61), younger age (AORs range from 1.34-4.65, P for trend < .001) and less ready to quit (2.08, 1.09-3.97). ConclusionsPrevalence of PTU increased slowly by year, co-use of one tobacco product with cigarette was more common. Being male, younger and less ready to quit were associated with current PTU. [236/250 words]