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Table 5 Beliefs about "lights" among "lights" and regular cigarette smokers

From: Misperceptions of "light" cigarettes abound: National survey data

Variable

"Lights" smokers

(n = 247)

(column %)

Regular smokers

(n = 910)

(column %)

Adjusted OR# for beliefs by "lights" smokers (95% CI)

(where referent group is those not agreeing)

Agree that "lights" make it easier to quit smoking*

25.4

21.4

1.28 (0.83 – 1.98)

Agree that "lights" are less harmful than regular cigarettes*

41.8

25.6

2.23 (1.48 – 3.36)

Agree that smokers of "lights" take in less tar than smokers of regular cigarettes*

42.8

35.4

1.49 (1.00 – 2.21)

Holding at least one of the above 3 beliefs that "lights" confer health benefits (referent group = those holding none of the above 3 beliefs)

60.4

45.0

2.01 (1.35 – 2.99)

Agree** that "lights" are smoother on the throat and chest than regular cigarettes*

64.8

51.0

1.78 (0.63 – 5.01)

The way a smoker puffs on a cigarette can affect the amount of tar and nicotine a smoker takes in (% true)

58.6

64.5

0.74 (0.51 – 1.09)

The way a smoker holds a cigarette can affect the amount of tar and nicotine a smoker takes in (% true)

24.2

29.7

0.78 (0.52 – 1.17)

  1. * Agree = answered "agree" or "strongly agree" to interview question.
  2. ** This question was included only in the first quarter of the Wave 1 survey and subsequently removed to reduce the length of the questionnaire.
  3. # Adjusted by age and sex.