USERS OF TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS: KEY BEHAVIORAL TYPES

Abstract

Aim. Establishing the type of tobacco behavior and the main motives and reasons for smoking among consumers of tobacco products. Material and Methods. A survey involved 817 individuals aged 18-44 in the Lviv region. Various types of tobacco products were identified among the interviewees: 96 respondents were smokers of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), 93 respondents were smokers of heated tobacco products (HTPs), and 228 respondents were smokers of classic cigarettes. A sociological survey using Horn's questionnaire was conducted to determine the types of behavior of smokers. Results and Discussion. The dominant type of smoking behavior, both among smokers of classic cigarettes or tobacco products for heating (HTP), and among users of nicotine through electronic cigarettes (ENDS) was the "Support" type, the second-ranked - "Playing with a cigarette", the third-ranked - "Thirst". The largest number of smokers by the behavioral type "Playing with a cigarette" was found among HTP smokers - 55.91±5.15 cases per 100 respondents. The "Thirst" type is most typical in smokers of classic cigarettes - 39.91±3.24 cases per 100 respondents. The "Support" type was the leading one for male smokers in the groups of classic cigarette smokers (47.09±3.81 cases per 100 men) and ENDS smokers (47.62±7.71 cases per 100 men), while for HTP smokers - "Playing with a cigarette" (54.55±7.51 cases per 100 men). In the group of female smokers in all studied groups, the "Support" type was the dominant type of behavior. At the same time, among female ENDS smokers, two types of behavior were dominant, namely - "Support" and "Playing with a cigarette" with an identical rate of 44.44±6.76 cases per 100 women. Conclusions. Determining the types of behavior of a smoker and the main reasons and motives for smoking will allow choosing a method of smoking cessation and increasing the effectiveness of quitting tobacco and nicotine use.