Survey of Premium Versus Large Manufactured Cigars Use in U.S. Consumers

INTRODUCTION: An Internet questionnaire was used to determine smoking behavior, purchasing behavior, and risk perceptions among exclusive or nearly exclusive current users of either large manufactured (LMC) or premium cigars (PC). AIMS AND METHODS: Respondents (n = 250) were recruited from a nationally representative market research panel. An a priori designation of PC users was adapted from criteria in published literature and the recent National Academy of Science report. RESULTS: Examination of responses revealed a (n = 19) disagreement between cigar users’ self-classifications and the a priori classification. After eliminating ineligible respondents 188 participants were classified as PC (n = 92; 55 male) or LMC (n = 96; 49 male) users. There were no significant differences in age or gender between groups. Respondents were all over 21 years old. The largest age groups were 30–39 years and 60–69 years. PC users were significantly more likely to have higher annual incomes and to buy cigars online or through tobacco specialty shops, whereas LMC users purchased from convenience stores. Most participants had used other combustible tobacco products (88%) but few had used ENDS (24%) or oral tobacco (7.5%). There was no significant difference in the frequency of smoke inhalation or perceptions of risk for health. There was marked uncertainty in self-characterization of cigar type; our sample had higher female representation than expected (n = 84, 45%), and inhalation was frequently endorsed in both groups (52%, overall). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the need for standardized classifications and suggest current trends may indicate shifts in gender and use behavior but provide no evidence supporting less restrictive regulation of PC. IMPLICATIONS: An Internet questionnaire was used to determine smoking behavior, purchasing behavior, and risk perceptions among current users of LMC or PC. There was uncertainty about cigar classification even in this sample of regular users. Our results demonstrated more than expected inhalation of cigar smoke, considerable use by females, and under appreciation of health risks. No results supported less restrictive regulations for premium cigars.