Journal article
A qualitative exploration of cigar smoking beliefs by type among U.S. susceptible Black young adults
Drug and alcohol dependence, v 275, 112828
01 Oct 2025
PMID: 40845735
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Cigar smoking is associated with cancer and pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. Black young adults have the highest prevalence of cigarillo and little filtered cigar smoking. Little is known about Black young adults’ beliefs about each cigar type, which helps understand behaviors and informs prevention strategies.
We conducted belief elicitation interviews with 30 Black young adults interested in cigar smoking from April 2022-January 2024 to explore their behavioral, normative, and control beliefs by cigar type. We used thematic analysis to code emergent themes by belief category and cigar type.
Participants mentioned more positive behavioral beliefs for cigarillos and large cigars than for little filtered cigars. There was less variation across cigar types for negative behavioral beliefs. Friends were mentioned as referents (i.e., individuals whose opinions or behaviors influence one’s attitudes or decisions) supportive of cigar smoking, particularly for cigarillos. Family members were mentioned as referents unsupportive of cigar smoking. While easy- and difficult- to-smoke beliefs emerged across cigar types, participants mentioned more easy-to-smoke beliefs for large cigars and more difficult-to-smoke beliefs for cigarillos and little filtered cigars. Cigarillos were characterized by outcome expectations of stress relief and use within social contexts; little filtered cigars were characterized by expectations of nicotine-related physical effects and relaxation; and large cigars were characterized as symbolizing high social status and social positions of power.
Salient beliefs by cigar type support the need for cigar-specific prevention messaging for Black young adults. Future research should test the utility of modifying these beliefs in prevention messaging.
•Cigarillos were associated with social aspects of use and stress relief.•Little filtered cigars were associated with nicotine buzz and related effects.•Large cigars were characterized as symbols of high social positions.•Friends were important supportive referents, particularly for cigarillo smoking.•Family were important unsupportive referents.
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Details
- Title
- A qualitative exploration of cigar smoking beliefs by type among U.S. susceptible Black young adults
- Creators
- Kayleigh M. Fenton - George Mason UniversityKelvin Choi - National Institute on Minority Health and Health DisparitiesKristen R. Hamilton-Moseley - National Institute on Minority Health and Health DisparitiesMignonne C. Guy - Virginia Commonwealth UniversityJeff Niederdeppe - Cornell UniversityKymberle L. Sterling - Rutgers HealthLilianna Phan (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Drug and alcohol dependence, v 275, 112828
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)'s William G. ColemanMinority Health and Health Disparities Research Innovation AwardAMGEN Scholars ProgramOffice of Intramural Training and EducationNational Institutes of Health (NIH)Division of Intramural Research, NIMHDNIMHD/NIH: P50MD017319 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: 79456 NIH FIRST Program: U54CA267735 Office of Director, NIHPathway to Independence Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research from the National Cancer Institute of the NIH: R00CA272919
This work was supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)'s William G. Coleman, Jr., Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Innovation Award (PI: Phan). KMF was supported by the AMGEN Scholars Program and Office of Intramural Training and Education, National Institutes of Health (NIH). KRH and KC were supported by the Division of Intramural Research, NIMHD. MCG was supported by NIMHD/NIH (P50MD017319) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (Grant #79456). LP was partly supported by the NIH FIRST Program (U54CA267735), with Funding support from the Office of Director, NIH and the Pathway to Independence Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research from the National Cancer Institute of the NIH (R00CA272919). NIH had no role in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of the data, writing the manuscript, or the decision to submit the paper for publication. The content underwent the standard manuscript clearance process for scientific papers published from the NIH Intramural Research Program. The contributions of the NIH authors were made as part of their official duties as NIH federal employees, are in compliance with agency policy requirements, and are considered Works of the United States Government. However, the content, findings and conclusions presented in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NIH or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel FIRST (Center for Firefighter Injury Research and Safety Trends); Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001565885700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105013629810
- Other Identifier
- 991022084655804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Substance Abuse