The inclusion of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in smoke-free home and car rules: A cross-sectional survey of adults in Armenia and Georgia

Varduhi Hayrumyan, Turpanjian College of Health Sciences, American University of Armenia, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.
Zhanna Sargsyan, Turpanjian College of Health Sciences, American University of Armenia, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.
Arevik Torosyan, National Institute of Health named after academician S. Avdalbekyan, Ministry of Health, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.
Ana Dekanosidze, Georgia National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Lilit Grigoryan, National Institute of Health named after academician S. Avdalbekyan, Ministry of Health, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.
Nour Alayan, Turpanjian College of Health Sciences, American University of Armenia, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.
Michelle C. Kegler, Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, United States.
Lela Sturua, Georgia National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Varduhi Petrosyan, Turpanjian College of Health Sciences, American University of Armenia, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.
Alexander Bazarchyan, National Institute of Health named after academician S. Avdalbekyan, Ministry of Health, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.
Regine Haardörfer, Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, United States.
Yuxian Cui, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University.
Carla J. Berg, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Journal

Tobacco induced diseases

Volume

22

DOI

10.18332/tid/189200

Keywords

alternative tobacco products; e-cigarettes; heated tobacco products; secondhand exposure; smoke-free homes and cars

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Understanding who includes e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) in smoke-free home or car rules could inform public health interventions, particularly in countries with high smoking prevalence and recently implemented national smoke-free laws, like Armenia and Georgia. METHODS: In 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1468 adults in 28 Armenian and Georgian communities (mean age=42.92 years; 51.4% female, 31.6% past-month smoking). Multilevel regression (accounting for clustering within communities; adjusted for sociodemographics and cigarette use) examined e-cigarette/HTP perceptions (risk, social acceptability) and use intentions in relation to: 1) including e-cigarettes/HTPs in home and car rules among participants with home and car rules, respectively (logistic regressions); and 2) intention to include e-cigarettes/HTPs in home rules (linear regression, 1 = 'not at all' to 7 = 'extremely') among those without home rules. RESULTS: Overall, 72.9% (n=1070) had home rules, 86.5% of whom included e-cigarettes/HTPs; 33.9% (n=498) had car rules, 81.3% of whom included e-cigarettes/HTPs. Greater perceived e-cigarette/HTP risk was associated with including e-cigarettes/HTPs in home rules (AOR=1.28; 95% CI: 1.08-1.50) and car rules (AOR=1.46; 95% CI: 1.14-1.87) and next-year intentions to include e-cigarettes/HTPs in home rules (β=0.38; 95% CI: 0.25-0.50). Lower e-cigarette/HTP use intentions were associated with including e-cigarettes/HTPs in home rules (AOR=0.75; 95% CI: 0.63-0.88). While perceived social acceptability was unassociated with the outcomes, other social influences were: having children and no other household smokers was associated with including e-cigarettes/HTPs in car rules, and having children was associated with intent to include e-cigarettes/HTPs in home rules. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to address gaps in home and car rules might target e-cigarette/HTP risk perceptions.

Department

Prevention and Community Health

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS