Smoking behavior in traditional and alternative methods of tobacco consumption

Despite the popularization of a healthy lifestyle, the relevance of smoking in the modern world does not lose its position. In addition to smoking traditional cigarettes, today there are many alternative options. However, the types of smoking behavior are not uniform.

Рurpose. To identify differences in groups of smokers using different tobacco delivery devices.

Materials and methods. 57 smokers were interviewed, who were form to three groups: group 1 used regular cigarettes (n=19; 33.3%; mean age, 40.2±1.8 years); group 2 used electronic cigarettes (EC)/vapes (n=19; 33.3%; mean age, 39.6±2.0 years); group 3 used tobacco heating products (THP) (n=19; 33.3%; mean age, 35.4±2.2 years). The author's questionnaire on the use of various means of tobacco delivery, a test to determine the type of smoking behavior by D. Horn, the Fagerström test, and an assessment of motivation to quit smoking were used.

Results. In all groups, smokers predominated, using tobacco delivery devices to gain emotional self-control, which made it possible to regard this as a type of “support” smoking behavior. The “relaxation” type was the second most common in all groups, but prevailed among vapers. In the group using THP, the “thirst” type occurred 1.5 and 2 times more often than in groups 1 and 2, respectively.

Conclusions. Smoking behavior patterns differ depending on the tobacco delivery method. This factor should be taken into account when developing individual smoking cessation programs.