Published online at GlobalTVEdmonton.com on January 11, 2011.
Linda Hoang, Global News: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Alberta launches new cigarillo study
A new study is being launched by Alberta Health Services to look into young adults’ use of one of the fastest growing tobacco products on the market.
Cigarillos are small, flavoured cigars that are popular with young adults.
Cigarillo sales in Alberta have been on the rise over the last few years.
In Alberta alone, sales went from 5.4 million in 2001 up to 64 million in 2007 and among those buying the product, 80% were between the ages of 15 and 24.
But little is known about how people use the product.
“We need to provide information to the policy makers about the behaviours around cigarillo smoking,” said Dr. Juanita Hatcher, director of Cancer Surveillence, a department within AHS that is conducting the study.
The study aims to see why young people start smoking cigarillos, why they continue to smoke them and whether the reasons for why people smoke cigarillos are similiar to why people smoke cigarettes.
Researchers also hope to figure out whether new legislation introduced in July 2010 banning the sale of single pack and flavoured cigarillos have affected sales.
Information gathered from the study will be used to help in future legislation and in tobacco programs aimed at lowering cigarillo use.
“The end goal of any tobacco research is the reduction of the amount of tobacco that is used particularily by young people,” Hatcher said.
AHS is planning on recruiting 100 participants between the ages of 19 to 29 for the study.
Those who are interested can call 780-643-4444.
Click here to read the article on the Global Edmonton website.
