Publications
225 results found
Kahnert S, Driezen P, Balmford J, et al., 2020, Effectiveness of tobacco warning labels before and after implementation of the European Tobacco Products Directive-findings from the longitudinal EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe surveys, European Journal of Public Health, Vol: 30, Pages: iii84-iii90, ISSN: 1101-1262
BACKGROUND: Tobacco product packaging is a key part of marketing efforts to make tobacco use appealing. In contrast, large, prominent health warnings are intended to inform individuals about the risks of smoking. In the European Union, since May 2016, the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU (TPD2) requires tobacco product packages to carry combined health warnings consisting of a picture, a text warning and information on stop smoking services, covering 65% of the front and back of the packages. METHODS: Key measures of warning label effectiveness (salience, cognitive reactions and behavioural reaction) before and after implementation of the TPD2, determinants of warning labels' effectiveness and country differences were examined in a longitudinal sample of 6011 adult smokers from Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Spain (EUREST-PLUS Project) using longitudinal Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models. RESULTS: In the pooled sample, the warning labels' effectiveness increased significantly over time in terms of salience (adjusted OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.35), while cognitive and behavioural reactions did not show clear increases. Generally, among women, more highly educated smokers and less addicted smokers, the effectiveness of warning labels tended to be higher. CONCLUSION: We found an increase in salience, but no clear increases for cognitive and behavioural reactions to the new warning labels as required by the TPD2. While it is likely that our study underestimated the impact of the new pictorial warning labels, it provides evidence that health messages on tobacco packaging are more salient when supported by large pictures.
Chung-Hall J, Fong GT, Meng G, et al., 2020, Support for e-cigarette policies among smokers in seven European countries: longitudinal findings from the 2016-18 EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe surveys, European Journal of Public Health, Vol: 30, Pages: iii68-iii77, ISSN: 1101-1262
BACKGROUND: The 2016 European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) required Member States (MS) to implement new regulations for electronic cigarettes (ECs). We conducted a longitudinal study to assess changes over 2 years in smokers' support for EC policies and identify predictors of support in seven European countries after TPD implementation. METHODS: Prospective cohort surveys were conducted among adult smokers in Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Spain and England in 2016 (n = 9547; just after TPD) and 2018 (n = 10 287; 2 years after TPD). Multivariable logistic regression models employing generalized estimating equations assessed changes in support for four EC policies, and tested for country differences and strength of key predictors of support. RESULTS: Banning EC use in smoke-free places was supported by 53.1% in 2016 and 54.6% in 2018 with a significant increase in Greece (51.7-66.0%) and a decrease in Spain (60.1-48.6%). Restricting EC/e-liquid nicotine content was supported by 52.2 and 47.4% in 2016 and 2018, respectively, with a significant decrease in England (54.2-46.5%) and Romania (52.5-41.0%). An EC promotion ban was supported by 41.1 and 40.2%. A flavour ban was supported by 33.3% and 32.3% with a significant increase in Hungary (34.3-43.3%). Support was generally higher in Poland, Hungary and Greece vs. England. Support was lower among dual and EC-only users, and low-income smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Smokers in all countries strongly supported banning EC use in smoke-free places and restricting nicotine content after TPD implementation, with no clear trends for changes in policy support.
Filippidis F, Pete D, Christina K, et al., 2020, Transitions from and to roll-your-own tobacco, perceptions and health beliefs among smokers: Findings from the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Surveys, European Journal of Public Health, Vol: 30, Pages: iii18-iii25, ISSN: 1101-1262
Background:The prevalence of roll-your-own tobacco (RYO) in Europe has been increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate transitions between factory-made cigarettes (FM) and RYO in a longitudinal sample of European smokers, and their perceptions of relative harmfulness and knowledge of health effects.Methods:We used data collected from the EUREST-PLUS ITC 6 European Country (6E) Surveys in 2016 (n=6011 smokers) and in 2018 (n=6027) in Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Spain. A total of 3195 cohort respondents were interviewed in both years. Use of RYO and FM, knowledge of health effects of smoking as well as perceptions about RYO were assessed. We used logistic regression models to explore sociodemographic correlates of transitions from one product to the other, of perceptions and knowledge related to smoking health effects.Results:Approximately 7.4% of exclusive FM smokers transitioned to RYO and 29.5% of exclusive RYO smokers transitioned to FM cigarettes from 2016 to 2018. RYO use in 2018 was more frequent among smokers of low education and income, but none of these factors were associated with transitions. Most RYO smokers perceived RYO as cheaper than FM and 21.7% of them considered RYO to be less harmful than FM. Knowledge of the health effects of smoking was not associated with type of product smoked.Conclusions:RYO is popular among European smokers; its lower cost seems to be a major factor for RYO users; reasons for transitions to and from RYO are less clear and need to be further investigated.
Zatoński M, Herbeć A, Zatoński W, et al., 2020, Cessation behaviours among smokers of menthol and flavoured cigarettes following the implementation of the EU Tobacco Products Directive: findings from the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Surveys, European Journal of Public Health, Vol: 30, Pages: iii34-iii37, ISSN: 1101-1262
The European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) introduced a ban on characterizing flavours in cigarettes (2016), including menthol (2020). The longitudinal data analysis of the EUREST-PLUS International Tobacco Control (ITC) Project Europe Surveys (n = 16 534; Wave 1 in 2016 and Wave 2 in 2018) found significant but small declines in the weighted prevalence of menthol (by 0.94%; P = 0.041) and other flavoured cigarette use (by 1.32%; P < 0.001) following the 2016 TPD. The declines tended to be driven primarily by the menthol and flavoured cigarette (MFC) smokers switching to unflavoured tobacco. Cigarette consumption declined between waves, but there were no statistically significant difference in decline between MFC and unflavoured tobacco smokers on smoking and cessation behaviours between the waves.
McDermott MS, East KA, Hitchman SC, et al., 2020, Social norms for e-cigarettes and smoking: associations with initiation of e-cigarette use, intentions to quit smoking and quit attempts: findings from the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Surveys., European Journal of Public Health, Vol: 30, Pages: iii46-iii54, ISSN: 1101-1262
BACKGROUND: Social norms have received little attention in relation to electronic cigarettes (EC). The current study examine social norms for EC use and smoking tobacco, and their associations with (i) initiation of EC use, (ii) intention to quit smoking and (iii) attempts to quit smoking. METHODS: Cross-sectional and longitudinal data analysis from Waves 1 and 2 of the ITC 6 European Country Survey and corresponding waves from England (the ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey). Current smokers at baseline, who heard of ECs and provided data at both waves were included (n = 3702). Complex samples logistic regression examined associations between the outcomes and descriptive (seeing EC use in public, close friends using ECs/smoking) and injunctive (public approves of ECs/smoking) norms, adjusting for country, demographics, EC use and heaviness of smoking. RESULTS: In longitudinal analyses, seeing EC use in public at least some days was the only social norm that predicted initiation of EC use between waves (OR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.08-2.56). In the cross-sectional analysis, having an intention to quit was associated with seeing EC use in public (OR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.04-1.81) and reporting fewer than three close friends smoke (OR = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.44-0.80). There was no association between any social norm and making a quit attempt between waves. CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of EC use is predicted by seeing EC use in public, which was also associated with greater intention to quit smoking. Friends' smoking was associated with lower intention to quit. These findings may allay concerns that increased visibility of ECs is renormalizing smoking amongst current smokers.
Vardavas CI, Kyriakos CN, McNeill A, et al., 2020, Evaluating the impact of the tobacco products directive within the context of the FCTC in Europe-findings from the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Surveys: introductory Commentary, European Journal of Public Health, Vol: 30, Pages: iii1-iii3, ISSN: 1101-1262
Grundy E, Suddek T, Filippidis F, et al., 2020, Smoking, SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: a review of reviews considering implications for public health policy and practice, Tobacco Induced Diseases, Vol: 18, Pages: 1-11, ISSN: 1617-9625
IntroductionThere has been significant speculation regarding the association between Severe Acute RespiratorySyndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and smoking.We provide an overview of the available literature regarding the association between smoking, risk ofSARS-CoV-2 infection, and risk of severe COVID-19 and poor clinical outcomes, with the aim ofinforming public health policy and practice in England.MethodsPublications were identified utilising a systematic search approach on PUBMED and Google Scholar.Publications presenting a systematic review or meta-analysis considering the association betweensmoking and SARS-COV-2 infection or COVID-19 outcomes were included.ResultsEight studies were identified. One considered the relationship between smoking and the probability ofSARS-CoV-2 infection, three considered the association between COVID-19 hospitalisation andsmoking history and six reviewed the association between smoking history and development ofsevere COVID-19. One study specifically investigated the risk of mortality. The studies consideringrisk of severe disease indicate that there is a significant association between COVID-19 and currentor ever smoking.ConclusionsThis is a rapidly evolving topic. Current analysis remains limited due to the quality of primary data,although early results indicate an association between smoking and COVID-19 severity. We highlyrecommend public health messaging to continue focusing on smoking cessation efforts.
Girvalaki C, Mechili EA, Loghin CR, et al., 2020, Social responsibility during the COVID-19 pandemic: Tobacco industry's trojan horse in Europe, Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, Vol: 6, Pages: 1-2, ISSN: 2459-3087
Pisinger C, Dagli E, Filippidis FT, et al., 2020, ERS and tobacco harm reduction (vol 54, 1902009, 2019), EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL, Vol: 55, ISSN: 0903-1936
Papaleontiou L, Agaku IT, Filippidis FT, 2020, Effects of Exposure to Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Advertisements on Tobacco Use: An Analysis of the 2015 National Youth Tobacco Survey., J Adolesc Health, Vol: 66, Pages: 64-71
PURPOSE: Tobacco advertising influences youth smoking behavior. Electronic cigarette (E-cigarette) advertising appears to encourage e-cigarette use among youth. Our aim was to explore the combined effect of exposure to both traditional tobacco advertising and e-cigarette advertising on youth's current use of traditional tobacco products and e-cigarettes. METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2015 National Youth Tobacco Survey (N = 17,711) in the U.S. Three levels of advertising exposure were assessed: none, traditional tobacco-only advertisements, and traditional tobacco and e-cigarette advertisements. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the association between the three advertising exposure categories and current use of tobacco products. RESULTS: Young people reported frequent exposure to traditional tobacco advertising (64.4%) and e-cigarette advertising (38.7%) in 2015. Exposure to any advertising was associated with significantly increased odds of traditional tobacco product use and e-cigarette use. Compared with no exposure to traditional tobacco or e-cigarette advertising, exposure to both (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.51) and exposure to traditional tobacco-only advertising (aOR: 1.34) were associated with significantly higher odds of current use of cigarettes, cigars/cigarillos/little cigars (aOR: 1.62 vs. 1.27) and dual/poly use (aOR: 1.91 vs. 1.31); exposure to both was also associated with significantly higher odds of current e-cigarette (aOR: 1.56) and waterpipe with tobacco (aOR: 1.54) use. CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette advertising in addition to existing traditional tobacco advertising seems to be associated with the use of tobacco and nicotine products among youth. These findings suggest that stricter regulations for e-cigarette advertising may contribute toward reducing the use of tobacco products among youth.
van Schalkwyk MCI, McKee M, Been JV, et al., 2019, Analysis of tobacco industry pricing strategies in 23 European Union countries using commercial pricing data, Tobacco Control, Vol: 28, Pages: e102-e109, ISSN: 0964-4563
Background The tobacco industry (TI) can act to undermine the impact of tobacco tax increases by adopting various pricing strategies. Little is known about strategies used across the European Union (EU), except for the UK.Aim To examine pricing strategies adopted by the TI in the EU, and whether they differ by cigarette price segment, or between manufactured and roll-your-own (RYO) cigarettes.Methods This is a longitudinal analysis of commercial pricing data for manufactured and RYO cigarettes from 23 EU countries in 2006–2017. Price and revenue trends were explored. Linear regression estimated the average annual change in revenue, and linear fixed-effects panel regression models were used to explore the association between changes in median revenue (net of tax and adjusted for inflation) and tax increases in different price segments of manufactured cigarettes.Results Over the 11-year period price gaps were observed in all countries. The average annual adjusted median net revenue per pack increased in 19 of 23 countries for manufactured and RYO cigarettes. A tax increase was associated with a significant decrease of −€0.09 in adjusted median net revenue per pack (95% CI −0.16 to −0.03) in the cheap cigarette price segment, while no change was detected in the expensive cigarette price segment (−€0.05, 95% CI −0.11 to 0.01).Conclusion Across the EU, pricing strategies adopted by the TI maintained or increased price gaps and retained cheaper tobacco products in the market, diminishing the impact of tobacco tax increases. Further strengthening of tobacco taxation policy is needed to maximise public health impact.
Pisinger C, Dagli E, Filippidis FT, et al., 2019, ERS and tobacco harm reduction, European Respiratory Journal, Vol: 54, ISSN: 0903-1936
ERS supports the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which also provides regulation to novel products, and cannot recommend tobacco harm reduction as a population-based strategy.
Alboksmaty A, Agaku I, Odani S, et al., 2019, Prevalence and determinants of cigarette smoking relapse among US adult smokers: a longitudinal study, BMJ Open, Vol: 9, ISSN: 2044-6055
Objectives This research project aims at estimating the prevalence of cigarette smoking relapse and determining its predictors among adult former smokers in the USA.Setting This research analysed secondary data retrieved from the Tobacco Use Supplement-Current Population Survey 2010–2011 cohort in the USA.Participants Out of 18 499 participants who responded to the survey in 2010 and 2011, the analysis included a total sample size of 3258 ever smokers, who were living in the USA and reported quitting smoking in 2010. The survey’s respondents who never smoked or reported current smoking in 2010 were excluded from the study sample.Primary and secondary outcome measures Smoking relapse was defined as picking up smoking in 2011 after reporting smoking abstinence in 2010. The prevalence of relapse over the 12-month follow-up period was estimated among different subgroups. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to determine factors associated with relapse.Results A total of 184 former smokers reported smoking relapse by 2011 (weighted prevalence 6.8%; 95% CI 5.7% to 8.1%). Prevalence and odds of relapse were higher among young people compared with elders. Former smokers living in smoke-free homes (SFHs) had 60% lower odds of relapse compared with those living in homes that allowed smoking inside (adjusted OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.64). Regarding race/ethnicity, only Hispanics showed significantly higher odds of relapse compared with Whites (non-Hispanics). Odds of relapse were higher among never married, widowed, divorced and separated individuals, compared with the married group. Continuous smoking cessation for 6 months or more significantly decreased odds of relapse.Conclusions Wider health determinants, such as race and age, but also living in SFHs showed significant associations with smoking relapse, which could inform the development of more targeted programmes to support those smokers who successfully quit, although further longitudinal s
Petroulia I, Kyriakos CN, Papadakis S, et al., 2019, Corrigendum: Patterns of tobacco use, quit attempts, readiness to quit and self-efficacy among smokers with anxiety or depression: Findings among six countries of the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Surveys, Tobacco Induced Diseases, Vol: 17, ISSN: 1617-9625
Filippidis FT, Mechili EA, Girvalaki C, et al., 2019, Cost, prevalence and correlates of cigarillo use in 28 European countries in 2017, Central European Journal of Public Health, Vol: 27, Pages: 182-187, ISSN: 1210-7778
OBJECTIVES: Although manufactured cigarettes remain the most popular tobacco product worldwide, the use of other products, including little cigar and cigarillo, has been rising in recent years; however, there is a paucity of data on the correlates of current and ever use of cigarillos in Europe. The aim of this study was to explore the extent and determinants of cigarillo use, as well as to describe the cost and affordability of cigarillos across the EU, in light of the current regulatory framework at a European level. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of data collected across 28 European Union (EU) Member States through wave 87.1 of the Eurobarometer survey, conducted in March 2017 (N = 27,901). A multilevel logistic regression model was fitted to assess the association of current and ever cigarillo use with the above socio-demographic factors. We also analysed Euromonitor International data on cigarillo prices in 2017 from 24 EU Member States. RESULTS: Across the EU, 0.46% (95% CI: 0.33-0.63) of those aged ≥ 15 years reported at least weekly current use of cigarillos in 2017, which corresponds to 1,966,516 (95% CI: 1,426,554-2,709,563) people. Finland recorded the highest prevalence (20.51%) of ever cigarillo use in Europe while Ireland had the lowest (1.15%). Male sex, living in urban area and being over 55 years old compared to 15-24 year olds were associated with greater odds of ever cigarillo use. Median cigarillo prices varied widely, ranging from 3.60 Euros in Portugal to 20.40 Euros in Bulgaria per 20 sticks. CONCLUSIONS: The use of cigarillos in Europe is associated with several socio-demographic factors such as gender, age and living area. Policy makers of EU countries, especially now under the regulatory framework of the EU Tobacco Products Directive, should work together to enforce more restrictive rules for cigarillos.
Laverty AA, Vamos EP, Millett C, et al., 2019, Child awareness of and access to cigarettes: impacts of the point-of-sale display ban in England., Tob Control, Vol: 28, Pages: 526-531
INTRODUCTION: England introduced a tobacco display ban for shops with >280 m2 floor area ('partial ban') in 2012, then a total ban in 2015. This study assessed whether these were linked to child awareness of and access to cigarettes. METHODS: Data come from the Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use survey, an annual survey of children aged 11-15 years for 2010-2014 and 2016. Multivariate logistic regression models assessed changes in having seen cigarettes on display, usual sources and ease of access to cigarettes in shops RESULTS: During the partial display ban in 2012, 89.9% of children reported seeing cigarettes on display in the last year, which was reduced to 86.0% in 2016 after the total ban (adjusted OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.66). Reductions were similar in small shops (84.1% to 79.3%)%) and supermarkets (62.6% to 57.3%)%). Although the ban was associated with a reduction in the proportion of regular child smokers reporting that they bought cigarettes in shops (57.0% in 2010 to 39.8% in 2016), we did not find evidence of changes in perceived difficulty or being refused sale among those who still did. DISCUSSION: Tobacco point-of-sale display bans in England reduced the exposure of children to cigarettes in shops and coincided with a decrease in buying cigarettes in shops. However, children do not report increased difficulty in obtaining cigarettes from shops, highlighting the need for additional measures to tackle tobacco advertising, stronger enforcement of existing laws and measures such as licencing for tobacco retailers.
Feliu A, Fernandez E, Martinez C, et al., 2019, Are smokers "hardening" or rather "softening"? An ecological and multilevel analysis across 28 European Union countries., Eur Respir J, Vol: 54
BACKGROUND: Tobacco control policies can reduce smoking prevalence. These measures may be less effective where smoking prevalence has significantly declined, as the remaining smokers have "hardened". Our aim was to empirically evaluate the "hardening hypothesis" at the population level in the European Union (EU) and explore factors associated with hardcore smoking. METHODS: We conducted two separate analyses in the EU using data on smoking from the Eurobarometer surveys (2009-2017, n=112 745). 1) A panel-data fixed-effects linear regression to investigate changes over time in the percentage of hardcore smokers in relation to standardised smoking prevalence at the country level. 2) A multilevel logistic regression analysis with hardcore (daily smokers, ≥15 cigarettes per day who have not attempted to quit in the last 12 months) or light (<5 cigarettes per day) smoking as the dependent variable and time as the main independent variable, controlling for individual and ecological variables. RESULTS: We studied 29 010 current smokers (43.8% hardcore smokers and 14.7% light smokers). The prevalence of hardcore smoking among adult smokers increased by 0.55 (95% CI 0.14-0.96) percentage points per each additional percentage point in the overall smoking prevalence. The odds of being a hardcore smoker increased over time and were higher in middle-aged males and people with financial difficulties, while the odds of being a light smoker significantly declined among females. CONCLUSION: This study does not support the "hardening hypothesis" in the EU between 2009 and 2017, but suggests a softening of the smoking population. Existing tobacco control policies are likely to be suitable to further decrease smoking prevalence in Europe.
Rajani N, Weth D, Mastellos N, et al., 2019, Adherence of popular smoking cessation mobile applications to evidence-based guidelines, BMC Public Health, Vol: 19, ISSN: 1471-2458
BackgroundSmoking remains one of the major preventable causes of chronic diseases. Considering the promising evidence on the effectiveness of mobile technology for health behaviour change, along with the increasing adoption of smartphones, this review aims to systematically assess the adherence of popular mobile apps for smoking cessation to evidence-based guidelines.MethodsThe United Kingdom Android and iOS markets were searched in February 2018 to identify smoking cessation apps. After screening, 125 Android and 15 iOS apps were tested independently by two reviewers for adherence to the National Institute of Care and Excellence (NICE) Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Self-Help Materials and the Five A Guidelines for Smoking Cessation. Pearson chi square tests were run to examine differences between the two operating systems.ResultsA majority of apps across both operating systems had low adherence (fulfils 1–2 out of 5 guidelines) to the Five A Guidelines (65.7%) and low adherence (fulfils 1–3 out of 9 guidelines) to the NICE Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Self-Help Materials (63.6%). Only 15% of mobile apps provided information about the benefits of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and even fewer provided information regarding types of NRT products (7.1%) or how to use them (2.1%). In addition, only a minority of apps arrange follow-up appointments or provide additional support to help smokers quit.ConclusionSimilar to previous mobile app reviews dating back to 2014, our findings show that most mobile apps do not follow existing smoking cessation treatment guidelines, indicating little change regarding the availability of evidence-based mobile apps for smoking cessation in the UK market. Smokers seeking to quit, tobacco control policy makers and software developers need to work together to develop apps that are in line with the latest clinical guidelines and strategies to maximise effectiveness.
Amalia B, Cadogan SL, Prabandari YS, et al., 2019, Socio-demographic inequalities in cigarette smoking in Indonesia, 2007 to 2014, Preventive Medicine, Vol: 123, Pages: 27-33, ISSN: 0091-7435
The prevalence of smoking in Indonesia is one of the highest in the world. Since 2007, some tobacco control policies have been implemented by the Indonesian government. However, evidence on the effectiveness of such policies at reducing tobacco use in Indonesia is scarcely available. Using both cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of individual and household data from two waves of the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS), this study explored changes in smoking patterns among Indonesian adults between 2007 and 2014 controlling for sociodemographic factors. Overall, there was no statistically significant change in the prevalence of smoking between 2007 and 2014. However, cigarettes became more affordable. Smokers in 2014 consumed more cigarettes (β: 0.95; 0.73, 1.17) and spent more money on cigarettes (β: IDR 2775; IDR 1124, IDR 4426) compared to those in 2007. Males, individuals <55 years old and those with lower levels of education had a higher likelihood of being smokers in 2014. Respondents with lower education levels and those under 26 years of age had higher odds of initiating smoking during the study period. Similarly, smoking cessation between 2007 and 2014 was more likely among respondents with higher levels of education and aged above 40 years. In conclusion, the implementation of tobacco control measures does not appear to have had a positive impact on smoking behaviours among adults in Indonesia between 2007 and 2014. Instead, cigarette consumption increased differentially across socio-demographic groups. Hence, tailored tobacco control interventions targeting the most socially disadvantaged population may be necessary in Indonesia.
Rajani N, Weth D, Mastellos N, et al., 2019, Use of gamification strategies and tactics in mobile applications for smoking cessation: a review of the UK mobile app market, BMJ Open, Vol: 9, ISSN: 2044-6055
Objective: Mobile phone-based interventions have been proven to be effective tools for smoking cessation, at least in the short term. Gamification, i.e. the use of game-design elements in a non-game context, has been associated with increased engagement and motivation, critical success factors for long-term success of mHealth solutions. However, to date no app review has examined the use of gamification in smoking cessation mobile apps. Our review aims to examine and quantify the use of gamification strategies (broad principles) and tactics (on-screen features) among existing mobile apps for smoking cessation in the UK. Methods: The UK Android and iOS markets were searched in February 2018 to identify smoking cessation apps. 125 Android and 15 iOS apps were tested independently by two reviewers for primary functionalities, adherence to Five A smoking cessation guidelines, and adoption of gamification strategies and tactics. We examined differences between platforms with chi-square tests. Correlation coefficients were calculated to explore the relationship between adherence to guidelines and gamification. Results: The most common functionality of the 140 mobile apps we reviewed allowed users to track the days since/until the quit date (86.4%). The most popular gamification strategy across both platforms was performance feedback (91.4%). The majority of apps adopted a medium level of gamification strategies (55.0%) and tactics (64.3%). Few adopted high levels of gamification strategies (6.4%) or tactics (5.0%). No statistically significant differences between the two platforms were found regarding level of gamification (p-value>0.05) and weak correlations were found between adherence to Five A’s and gamification strategies (r=0.38) and tactics r= (0.26). Conclusion: The findings of this review show that a high level of gamification is adopted by a small minority of smoking cessation apps in the UK. Further exploration of the use of gamification in smoking ce
Laverty AA, Filippidis FT, Taylor-Robinson D, et al., 2019, Smoking uptake in UK children: Analysis of the UK Millennium Cohort Study., Thorax, Vol: 74, Pages: 607-610, ISSN: 0040-6376
We used data from 11 577 children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study, collected at approximately 14 years of age (early teens), to assess characteristics associated with smoking, and generated regional estimates of numbers of smokers. 13.8% of UK early teens studied had ever smoked; 1.9% were current smokers. This corresponds to 2 28 136 and 39 653 (13-14 year olds) in the UK, respectively. Ever smoking risk increased if caregivers (26.0% vs 10.9%) or friends smoked (35.1% vs 4.0%), with a dose-response effect for friends' smoking. Caregiver and peer-group smoking remain important drivers of child smoking uptake and thus important targets for intervention.
Hone T, Szklo AS, Filippidis F, et al., 2019, Smoke-free legislation and neonatal and infant mortality in Brazil: a longitudinal quasi-experimental study, Tobacco Control, Vol: 29, Pages: 312-319, ISSN: 0964-4563
Objective To examine the associations of partial and comprehensive smoke-free legislation with neonatal and infant mortality in Brazil using a quasi-experimental study design.Design Monthly longitudinal (panel) ecological study from January 2000 to December 2016.Setting All Brazilian municipalities (n=5565).Participants Infant populations.Intervention Smoke-free legislation in effect in each municipality and month. Legislation was encoded as basic (allowing smoking areas), partial (segregated smoking rooms) or comprehensive (no smoking in public buildings). Associations were quantified by immediate step and longer term slope/trend changes in outcomes.Statistical analyses Municipal-level linear fixed-effects regression models.Main outcomes measures Infant and neonatal mortality.Results Implementation of partial smoke-free legislation was associated with a −3.3 % (95% CI −6.2% to −0.4%) step reduction in the municipal infant mortality rate, but no step change in neonatal mortality. Comprehensive smoke-free legislation implementation was associated with −5.2 % (95% CI −8.3% to −2.1%) and −3.4 % (95% CI −6.7% to −0.1%) step reductions in infant and neonatal mortality, respectively, and a −0.36 (95% CI −0.66 to−0.06) annual decline in the infant mortality rate. We estimated that had all smoke-free legislation introduced since 2004 been comprehensive, an additional 10 091 infant deaths (95% CI 1196 to 21 761) could have been averted.Conclusions Strengthening smoke-free legislation in Brazil is associated with improvements in infant health outcomes—particularly under comprehensive legislation. Governments should accelerate implementation of comprehensive smoke-free legislation to protect infant health and achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal three.
Rajani N, Skianis V, Filippidis F, 2019, Association of environmental and sociodemographic factors with life satisfaction in 27 European countries, BMC Public Health, Vol: 19, ISSN: 1471-2458
BackgroundLife satisfaction is a cognitive and evaluative judgement of one’s outlook on life and an integral component of subjective wellbeing. There is a strong association between life satisfaction and mental and physical health, but it is currently unclear how environmental factors may influence life satisfaction. Our aim was to investigate the association between environmental factors and life satisfaction and to gain a better understanding of general life satisfaction statistics in the EU.MethodsWe used a three-level mixed effects logistic regression model to examine the effects of sociodemographic, macroeconomic and environmental factors on life satisfaction using a large sample size from Eurobarometer surveys (n = 268,696) representative of 27 EU countries. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews between May 2014 and June 2015.ResultsWe found wide variation between countries, as well as between regions within the same country with regards to levels of life satisfaction. Having adjusted for individual sociodemographic factors, our analysis did not indicate statistically significant associations of mean temperature and precipitation with life satisfaction. However, there was a statistically significant association between environmental degradation and lower life satisfaction (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97–1.00). Consistent with existing literature, our results show statistically significant effects of sociodemographic factors such as sex, financial situation and employment on life satisfaction.ConclusionsFuture research should extend analyses to a wider range of sociodemographic, macroeconomic and geographical variables to gain insight on all possible factors affecting life satisfaction to inform policy makers and ensure higher quality of life, and in turn better mental and physical health.
Filippidis FT, Jawad M, Vardavas CI, 2019, Trends and correlates of waterpipe use in the European Union: analysis of selected Eurobarometer surveys (2009-2017)., Nicotine and Tobacco Research, Vol: 21, Pages: 469-474, ISSN: 1462-2203
Introduction: To assess the trends and correlates of waterpipe use between 2009 and 2017 in the 28 European Union (EU) member states. Methods: We analysed data from wave 72.3 (2009, n=27,788); wave 77.1 (2012, n=26,751); wave 82.4 (2014, n=27,801); and wave 87.1 (2017, n=27,901) of the Eurobarometer survey. Representative samples of EU residents aged ≥15 years were asked to report ever use of waterpipe. Regular waterpipe use, i.e. at least once a month was also assessed in 2017. Associations of ever and current use with sociodemographic factors were assessed with multi-level logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of ever waterpipe use in the EU increased from 11.6% in 2009 to 16.3% in 2014 before dropping to 12.9% in 2017, but there was wide variation between EU member states, ranging from 2.3% (Croatia, 2009) to 41.7% (Latvia, 2017). Regular waterpipe use was highest in Austria (3.6%), Latvia (2.5%) and Belgium (2.0%) in 2017. Respondents aged 15-24 years were 11.43 times more likely (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 10.71-12.21) to have ever used waterpipe compared to those 55 years and older. Regular and ever waterpipe use were also more likely among current and former cigarette smokers. Males (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]=1.64; 95% CI: 1.58-1.70) and those living in urban areas (aOR=1.36; 95% CI: 1.30-1.42) were more likely to have ever used waterpipe. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of EU citizens, especially young men, have tried waterpipe. Regular use is relatively limited, but more systematic surveillance is required to monitor trends across the EU. Implications: Data on waterpipe use in the European Union (EU) are scarce. The prevalence of ever waterpipe use in the EU increased from 11.6% in 2009 to 16.3% in 2014 before dropping to 12.9% in 2017, with wide variation between EU member states. Males, those living in urban areas, younger respondents and current or former cigarette smokers were more likely to be ever or regular users of waterpipe.
Fu M, Castellano Y, Tigova O, et al., 2019, Smoking in public places in six European countries: Findings from the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Survey, Tobacco Induced Diseases, Vol: 16, ISSN: 1617-9625
Introduction:Surveillance of tobacco consumption in public places is an important measure to evaluate the impact of tobacco control interventions over time. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of smoking as seen by smokers and their smoking behaviour in public places, in six European countries.Methods:We used baseline data of the International Tobacco Control Six European countries (ITC 6E) Survey, part of the EUREST-PLUS Project, conducted in 2016 in national representative samples of about 1000 adult smokers aged 18 years and older in Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Spain. For each setting (workplaces, restaurants, bars/pubs and discos) participants were asked whether they had seen someone smoking during their last visit there and whether they too had smoked there. We report the overall and by-country weighted prevalence of seeing someone smoking and the smokers’ own smoking behaviour at each setting. We also assess the relationship between seeing someone smoking and smoking themselves at these settings.Results:The prevalence of smoking as seen by smokers was 18.8% at workplaces, with high variability among countries (from 4.7% in Hungary to 40.8% in Greece). Among smokers visiting leisure facilities in the last year, during their last visit 22.7% had seen someone smoking inside restaurants and 12.2% had smoked themselves there, while for bars/pubs the corresponding prevalences were 33.9% and 20.4%, and inside discos 44.8% and 34.8%.Conclusions:Smoking is still prevalent at leisure facilities, particularly at discos in Europe, with high variability among countries. More extensive awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement are needed to increase the compliance of smokefree regulations, especially in leisure facilities.
Fu M, Castellano Y, Tigova O, et al., 2019, Correlates of the support for smoke-free policies among smokers: A cross-sectional study in six European countries of the EUREST-PLUS ITC EUROPE SURVEYS, Tobacco Induced Diseases, Vol: 16, ISSN: 1617-9625
Introduction:This report describes the support for smoke-free policies in different settings among smokers in six European countries and the relationship between their opinions about the places where smoking should be banned and their beliefs about the harms of secondhand smoke to non-smokers.Methods:A cross-sectional survey (the ITC 6 European Country Survey, part of the EUREST-PLUS Project) was conducted using nationally representative samples of adult smokers in Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Spain (n=6011). We describe the prevalence of agreement and support for smoke-free policies in different settings according to sociodemographics, smoking characteristics and beliefs about the danger of secondhand smoke to non-smokers.Results:There was high agreement with smoking regulations in cars with preschool children and in schoolyards of primary/secondary schools (>90% overall) and low agreement with banning smoking in outdoor terraces of bars/pubs (8.6%; 95%CI: 7.5%-9.8%) and restaurants (10.1%; 95%CI: 8.9%-11.4%). The highest support for complete smoking bans inside public places came from smokers in Poland, among women, people aged ≥25 years, who had low nicotine dependence, and who tried to quit smoking in the last 12 months. About 78% of participants agreed that tobacco smoke is dangerous to non-smokers, ranging from 63.1% in Hungary to 88.3% in Romania; the highest agreement was noted among women, the 25-54 age groups, those with higher education, low cigarette dependence, and those who tried to quit in the last 12 months. The support for complete smoking bans in public places was consistently higher among smokers who agreed that secondhand smoke is dangerous to non-smokers.Conclusions:Smokers in six European countries declared strong support for smoke-free policies in indoor settings and in settings with minors but low support in outdoor settings, particularly leisure facilities. More education is needed to increase the awareness about the p
Demjen T, Kiss J, Kovacs PA, et al., 2019, The purchase sources of and price paid for cigarettes in six European countries: Findings from the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Surveys, Tobacco Induced Diseases, Vol: 16, ISSN: 1617-9625
Introduction:Tobacco tax policies have been proven to be effective in reducing tobacco consumption, but their impact can be mitigated through price-minimizing behaviours among smokers. This study explored the purchase sources of tobacco products and the price paid for tobacco products in six EU member states.Methods:Data from Wave 1 of the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Survey collected from nationally representative samples of adult smokers in Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Spain (ITC 6E Survey) were used. The ITC 6E Survey sample, conducted in 2016, randomly sampled 6011 adult cigarette smokers aged 18 years or older. Information on purchase sources of tobacco was examined by country. The difference in reported purchase price by purchase location (store vs non-store/other) was analysed using linear regression for each country.Results:Tobacco purchasing patterns and sources varied widely between countries. Non-store/other purchases were very rare in Hungary (0.1%) while these types of purchases were more common in Germany (5.1%) and Poland (8.6%). Reported prices of one standard pack of 20 cigarettes were highest in Germany (4.80€) and lowest in Hungary (2.45€). While nonstore purchases were only made by a minority of smokers (>10% in all countries), the price differential was considerable between store and non-store/other sources, up to 2€ per pack in Greece and in Germany.Conclusions:The results suggest a huge variation of purchasing sources and price differentials between store and non-store purchasing sources across the six EU member states examined. While the cross-sectional data precludes any causal inference, supply chain control through licensing as introduced in Hungary and the lack of such measures in the other countries might nevertheless be a plausible explanation for the large differences in the frequency of non-store purchases observed in this study.
East KA, Hitchman SC, McDermott M, et al., 2019, Social norms towards smoking and electronic cigarettes among adult smokers in seven European Countries: Findings from the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Surveys, Tobacco Induced Diseases, Vol: 16, ISSN: 1617-9625
Introduction:This study explores whether current smokers’ social norms towards smoking and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) vary across seven European countries alongside smoking and e-cigarette prevalence rates. At the time of surveying, England had the lowest current smoking prevalence and Greece the highest. Hungary, Romania and Spain had the lowest prevalence of any e-cigarette use and England the highest.Methods:Respondents were adult (≥18 years) current smokers from the 2016 EUREST-PLUS ITC (Romania, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Greece, Germany) and ITC 4CV England Surveys (N=7779). Using logistic regression, associations between country and (a) smoking norms and (b) e-cigarette norms were assessed, adjusting for age, sex, income, education, smoking status, heaviness of smoking, and e-cigarette status.Results:Compared with England, smoking norms were higher in all countries: reporting that at least three of five closest friends smoke (19% vs 65–84% [AOR=6.9–24.0; Hungary–Greece]), perceiving that people important to them approve of smoking (8% vs 14–57% [1.9–51.1; Spain–Hungary]), perceiving that the public approves of smoking (5% vs 6–37% [1.7–15.8; Spain–Hungary]), disagreeing that smokers are marginalised (9% vs 16–50% [2.3–12.3; Poland–Greece]) except in Hungary. Compared with England: reporting that at least one of five closest friends uses e-cigarettes was higher in Poland (28% vs 36% [2.7]) but lower in Spain and Romania (28% vs 6–14% [0.3–0.6]), perceiving that the public approves of e-cigarettes was higher in Poland, Hungary and Greece (32% vs 36–40% [1.5–1.6]) but lower in Spain and Romania in unadjusted analyses only (32% vs 24–26%), reporting seeing e-cigarette use in public at least some days was lower in all countries (81% vs 12–55% [0.1–0.4]; Spain–Greece).Conclusions:Smokers from England had the least pro-smoking norms
Hedman L, Katsaounou PA, Filippidis FT, et al., 2019, Receiving support to quit smoking and quit attempts among smokers with and without smoking related diseases: Findings from the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Surveys, Tobacco Induced Diseases, Vol: 16, ISSN: 1617-9625
Introduction:Having a chronic disease either caused or worsened by tobacco smoking does not always translate into quitting smoking. Although smoking cessation is one of the most cost-effective medical interventions, it remains poorly implemented in healthcare settings. The aim was to examine whether smokers with chronic and respiratory diseases were more likely to receive support to quit smoking by a healthcare provider or make a quit attempt than smokers without these diseases.Methods:This population-based study included a sample of 6011 adult smokers in six European countries. The participants were interviewed face-to-face and asked questions on sociodemographic characteristics, current diagnoses for chronic diseases, healthcare visits in the last 12 months and, if so, whether they had received any support to quit smoking. Questions on smoking behavior included nicotine dependence, motivation to quit smoking and quit attempts in the last 12 months. The results are presented as weighted percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and as adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI based on logistic regression analyses.Results:Smokers with chronic respiratory disease, those aged 55 years and older, as well as those with one or more chronic diseases were more likely to receive smoking cessation advice from a healthcare professional. Making a quit attempt in the last year was related to younger age, high educational level, higher motivation to quit, lower nicotine dependence and having received advice to quit from a healthcare professional but not with having chronic diseases. There were significant differences between countries with smokers in Romania consistently reporting more support to quit as well as quit attempts.Conclusions:Although smokers with respiratory disease did indeed receive smoking cessation support more often than smokers without disease, many smokers did not receive any advice or support to quit during a healthcare visit.
Driezen P, Thompson ME, Fong GT, et al., 2019, Cross-border purchasing of cigarettes among smokers in Six Countries of the EUREST-PLUS ITC Europe Surveys, Tobacco Induced Diseases, Vol: 16, ISSN: 1617-9625
Introduction:The availability of lower-cost cigarettes in neighboring countries provides price-sensitive smokers with incentives to purchase cheaper out-of-country cigarettes. This study estimates the prevalence of and factors associated with cross-border purchasing of cheaper cigarettes among smokers from Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Spain. The prevalence of cross-border purchasing was estimated by residential location, defined as living in regions bordering a lower-price country (where prices were at least €1/pack lower), regions bordering a similar- or higher-price country, and internal non-border regions.Methods:Data were from a survey of nationally representative samples of adult smokers (n=6011) from Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Spain. The primary outcome was purchasing cheaper out-of-country cigarettes in the previous six months. Residential location was defined using The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS2 in Germany and NUTS3 in the other countries). Multivariable logistic regression tested differences in purchasing cheaper out-of-country cigarettes by country and residential location.Results:Residential location was associated with purchasing cheaper out-of-country cigarettes in Germany and Poland (p<0.05): 31% of German and 11% of Polish smokers living in regions bordering lower-price countries reported purchasing cheaper out-of-country cigarettes in the previous six months. Smokers living in regions bordering lower-price countries had 4.21 times greater odds of purchasing cheaper out-of-country cigarettes compared to smokers living in non-border regions.Conclusions:Overall, only a minority of smokers in the six countries purchased cheaper cigarettes outside their country. However, smokers living in regions bordering countries where cigarettes were at least €1/pack lower than their home country had significantly higher odds of purchasing cheaper out-of-country cigarettes. This effect was
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