Acute Effects of "Hyping" a Black&Mild Cigarillo

Abstract

Introduction: Cigars remain a widely used tobacco product among adolescent and adult populations. The appeal of a certain type of cigar, the cigarillo, may be enhanced by users' beliefs that their harm potential can be reduced by removing the inner tobacco liner before use (a.k.a. "hyping"). The purpose of this within-subject study was to compare the acute effects of smoking an original cigarillo, a modified ("hyped") cigarillo, and an unlit cigarillo.

Methods: Twenty smokers (19 males, 1 female; 19 non-Hispanic blacks, 1 Hispanic "other") of at least 7 Black&Mild (B&M) cigarillos/week and at most 5 cigarettes/day completed the study. All participants reported hyping their cigarillos at least occasionally. Primary outcomes, assessed over two, 30-minute smoking bouts, included plasma nicotine, expired air carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, subjective ratings (product effects, nicotine abstinence symptoms), and puff topography.

Results: Mean plasma nicotine concentration increased significantly within (pre- to post-bouts), but not between, original and modified B&M conditions. Mean CO concentration was significantly lower for modified, relative to original, B&M smoking at all post-administration timepoints. Both smoked conditions significantly increased ratings of positive product effects (satisfaction, pleasant) and decreased abstinence symptom magnitude; however, ratings generally did not differ between these conditions. Overall, topography outcomes did not differ between modified and original B&M smoking.

Conclusions: Results are consistent with a previous report in that "hyping" may decrease users' CO, but not nicotine, exposure. While these data collectively suggest reduced exposure to CO acutely with engagement in "hyping," longer-term assessments are needed to determine the impact on individual and public health.