RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Impact of little cigars and cigarillos packaging features on product preference
Shang, C., Nonnemaker, J., Sterling, K., Sobolewski, J., & Weaver, S. R. (2021). Impact of little cigars and cigarillos packaging features on product preference. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21), Article 11443. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111443
BACKGROUND: We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) among young adult cigarette smokers in the period July-August 2018 to examine their preference for cigarillos in response to various packaging-related attributes, including flavor, flavor description, quality descriptors, pack size, and prices.
METHODS: A convenience sample of 566 US young adult cigarette smokers aged 18-34, among whom 296 were current little cigar and cigarillo (LCC) smokers, were recruited using Facebook ads and invited to participate in an online (Qualtrics) tobacco survey containing DCE and tobacco use questions. In the experiment, participants chose among two cigarillo products or "neither" (opt-out).
RESULTS: We analyzed preferences for LCCs using multinomial, nested, random parameter logit models. Results showed that young adult cigarette smokers preferred grape over menthol, tobacco/regular, and wine flavors; "color only" and "color and text" flavor depictions over text only; "smooth" and "sweet" quality descriptors over "satisfying"; and larger pack sizes and lower prices.
CONCLUSIONS: Regulating packaging-related features will impact LCC choices among US young adult smokers. FDA regulation over these packaging-related features may impact LCC use among young adult smokers.
