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Aim To examine the patterns and correlates of mentholated cigarette smoking among adult smokers in the United States. Design Cross-sectional data on adult current smokers (n = 63 193) were pooled from the 2003 and 2006/07 Tobacco Use Supplements to the Current Population Survey. Measurements The associations between sociodemographic and smoking variables were examined with gender- and race/ethnicity-stratified multivariate logistic regression models predicting current use of mentholated cigarettes. Findings Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that black smokers were 10DS11 times more likely to smoke mentholated cigarettes than white smokers men: odds ratio (OR): 11.59, 99% confidence interval (CI): 9.79DS13.72; women: OR: 10.12, 99% CI: 8.45DS 12.11). With the exception of American Indian/Aleut/Eskimo smokers, non-white smokers were significantly more likely to smoke mentholated cigarettes than were white smokers. Additional significant factors associated with mentholated cigarette smoking included being unmarried (never married: OR: 1.21, 99% CI: 1.09DS1.34; divorced/ separated: OR: 1.13, 99% CI: 1.03DS1.23), being born in a US territory (OR: 2.01, 99% CI: 1.35DS3.01), living in a non-metropolitan area (OR: 0.87, 99% CI: 0.80DS0.96), being unemployed (OR: 1.24, 99% CI: 1.06DS1.44) and lower levels of education. Race/ethnicity-stratified analyses showed that women were more likely than men to smoke mentholated cigarettes. Among black smokers, young adults (aged 18DS24 years) were four times more likely to smoke mentholated cigarettes compared with individuals aged 65+. Conclusions Race/ethnicity, gender and age are significant correlates of mentholated cigarette smoking among current smokers. Given the importance of menthol in the cigarette market and the potential untoward health effects of this additive, continued surveillance of the prevalence and correlates of mentholated cigarette use among diverse socio-demographic groups is warranted to inform appropriate interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study examines the associations between usual cigarette brand (i.e. menthol, non-menthol) and markers for nicotine dependence and quitting behaviors. Design The 2003 and 2006/07 Tobacco Use Supplements to the Current Population Surveys were pooled to conduct secondary data analysis. Setting National data were collected using in-person and telephone computer-assisted interviews by the United States Census Bureau among civilian, non-institutionalized people aged 15 years and older. Participants Data were analyzed among daily current smokers aged 18+ (n = 46 273). Measurements The associations between usual cigarette brand and time to first cigarette within 5 and 30 minutes after waking, quit attempts in the past 12 months and length of smoking abstinence in the past 12 months were examined. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were stratified by smoking intensity: 2 weeks in the past 12 months. Conclusions Findings from this national survey of daily smokers demonstrate that menthol smokers in the United States who report consuming 6DS10 cigarettes per day show greater signs of nicotine dependence than comparable non-menthol smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Few frameworks have addressed work-force diversity, inequities and inequalities as part of a comprehensive approach to eliminating tobacco-related health disparities. This paper summarizes the literature and describes the known disparities that exist along the tobacco disease continuum for minority racial and ethnic groups, those living in poverty, those with low education and blue-collar and service workers. The paper also discusses how work-force diversity, inequities in research practice and knowledge allocation and inequalities in access to and quality of health care are fundamental to addressing disparities in health. Methods We examined the available scientific literature and existing public health reports to identify disparities across the tobacco disease continuum by minority racial/ethnic group, poverty status, education level and occupation. Findings Results indicate that differences in risk indicators along the tobacco disease continuum do not explain fully tobacco-related cancer consequences among some minority racial/ethnic groups, particularly among the aggregate groups, blacks/African Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives. The lack of within-race/ethnic group data and its interactions with socio-economic factors across the life-span contribute to the inconsistency we observe in the disease causal paradigm. Conclusions More comprehensive models are needed to understand the relationships among disparities, social context, diversity, inequalities and inequities. A systematic approach will also help researchers, practitioners, advocates and policy makers determine critical points for interventions, the types of studies and programs needed and integrative approaches needed to eliminate tobacco-related disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]