Patterns and determinants of tobacco purchase behaviors among male cigarette smokers in Vietnam: A latent class analysis.

Introduction: Understanding smokers' purchasing patterns can aid in customizing tobacco control initiatives aimed at reducing the tobacco smoking prevalence. Therefore, this study identified cigarette purchase behavior among Vietnamese male smokers and associated demographic and consumption factors.
Methods: We analyzed a secondary dataset of male current tobacco smokers (n=3983) who participated in the Vietnam Global Adult Tobacco Survey in 2015. We applied the latent class analysis (LCA) to identify the classes of purchase behavior among cigarette smokers (n=1241). Multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify demographics (education level, ethnicity, partnership status, and household socioeconomic status) and cigarette consumption variables (smoking years and heavy smoking status) related to purchase behavior classes. The results are reported as an adjusted relative risk ratio (ARRR).
Results: The LCA identified four cigarette purchase behaviors classes: Class 1 (price-insensitive and purchased international brand: 44.4%), Class 2 (price-sensitive and purchased domestic brand: 27.6%), Class 3 (price-sensitive and purchased cigarettes in a street vendor: 18.6%), and Class 4: price-sensitive and purchased loose/carton cigarette: 9.4%). The poorer economic groups were more likely to belong to the three price-sensitive classes. Heavy smokers and those who had smoked for a longer period were more likely to belong to Class 3 (ARRR=2.33; 95% CI: 1.51-3.58 and ARRR=1.02; 95% CI: 1.001-1.05, respectively) and Class 4 (ARRR=2.94; 95% CI: 1.71-5.06 and ARRR=1.05; 95% CI: 1.02-1.08, respectively).
Conclusions: Varied purchasing behaviors among male cigarette smokers, influenced by divergent price sensitivities and economic backgrounds, underscore the need for comprehensive tobacco control. Future efforts should include targeted policy interventions, behavior modification, and reshaping social norms.
Competing Interests: The authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and none was reported.
(© 2024 Nguyen T.N.P et al.)