Implied Modified Risk Statements as Predictors of Flavored Little Cigar and Cigarillo Use - PROJECT SUMMARY
In August 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) extended its regulatory authority to LCCs and other
tobacco products.[1] While bringing the products under the regulatory authority of the FDA was a critical step to
protecting the public’s health, LCCs currently are not regulated as stringently as cigarettes. For example,
LCCs have fewer advertising, packaging and marketing restrictions and are available in characterizing flavors
(including sweet, fruit, alcohol, mint, and menthol flavors). The FDA has indicated their intention to impose
more stringent regulations on all cigar products (including LCCs), but there is less scientific basis of regulation
for these products. Our proposed study will address this knowledge gap by providing empirical evidence that
documents if flavored LCC product packaging, an important form of advertisement,[2] influences young adults’
preferences for LCCs, risk perceptions and LCC smoking behavior. We will address these gaps using survey
and focus group research that prospectively examines if receptivity to flavored LCC product descriptors (e.g.
text, colors, images) influences risk perceptions and predicts future LCC behaviors among racially/ethnically
diverse young adults. To complement our survey and focus group research, we will also conduct
experimental research that will inform the FDA about specific package design feature(s) (e.g. descriptors, pack
size, and/or price) that influence(s) young adults’ preferences for flavored LCCs and their
susceptibility/intention to use the products—proxies for future behavior. Our proposed research is significant
and impactful because it will provide evidence of misleading claims on flavored LCC packaging about the risk
of LCC use. Data from this study will supplement any evidence the FDA collects during its surveillance,
inspections, and investigations to enable the agency’s determination of compliance violations. Our findings will
contribute to the scientific evidence base that may also inform the development of product standards for LCC
packaging and the development of future FDA public education campaigns that inform about the risks of LCC
smoking.
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