David B Abrams
David Abrams
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Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Professional overview
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Dr. David Abrams' career focuses on systems and social learning frameworks to inform population health enhancement. He has experience in testing theory, research design, measuring mechanisms of behavior change and outcome, and evaluating clinical trials (behavioral and pharmacological). His interests span topics from basic bio-behavioral mechanisms and clinical treatments to policy across risk factors and behaviors (e.g. tobacco/nicotine; alcohol, obesity, co-morbidity of medical and mental health), disease states (cancer; cardiovascular; HIV-AIDS), levels (biological, individual, organizational, worksite, community, global, and internet based), populations and disparities. His interests converge in the domain of implementation science to cost-efficiently inform evidence-based public health practice and policymaking.
Through transdisciplinary and translational research strategies, Dr. Abrams provides scientific leadership in tobacco control. His current focus is in strengthening global and United States tobacco and nicotine management strategies. Deaths of 1 billion smokers are estimated by 2100 caused overwhelmingly by use of combustible (smoked) tobacco products, not nicotine. Harm minimization is a key overarching systems strategy to speed the net public health benefit of emergent disruptive technologies for cleaner nicotine delivery. The goal is more rapid elimination of preventable deaths, disease burdens, and the widening gap in health disparities driven disproportionately by disparities in smoking.
Dr. Abrams was a professor and founding director of the Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine at Brown University Medical School. He then directed the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Until 2017, he was Professor of Health Behavior and Society at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the founding Executive Director of the Schroeder National Institute of Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative (formerly the American Legacy Foundation).
Dr. Abrams has published over 250 peer reviewed scholarly articles and been a Principal Investigator on numerous NIH grants. He is lead author of The Tobacco Dependence Treatment Handbook: A Guide to Best Practices. He has served on expert panels at NIH and National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine on Obesity, Alcohol Misuse and Ending the Tobacco Problem: A Blueprint for the Nation. He has also served on the Board of Scientific Advisors of the National Cancer Institute (NIH-NCI) and was President of the Society of Behavioral Medicine.
For a complete list of Dr. Abrams' published work, click here.
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Education
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BSc (Hons), Psychology and Computer Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaMS, Clinical Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJPhD, Clinical Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJPostdoctoral Fellow, Brown Medical School, Providence, RI
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Honors and awards
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Research Laureate Award, American Academy of Health Behavior (2014)Joseph W. Cullen Memorial Award for Tobacco Research, American Society for Preventive Oncology (2008)Distinguished Alumni Award: Rutgers University, The Graduate School, New Brunswick, NJ (2007)The Musiker-Miranda Distinguished Service Award, American Psychological Association (2006)Distinguished Service Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine (2006)Outstanding Research Mentor Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine (2006)Book of the Year Award: Tobacco Dependence Treatment Handbook. American Journal of Nursing (2005)Distinguished Scientist Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine (1998)
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Areas of research and study
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Behavioral ScienceChronic DiseasesEvaluationsImplementation and Impact of Public Health RegulationsImplementation sciencePopulation HealthPublic Health PedagogyPublic Health SystemsResearch DesignSystems IntegrationSystems InterventionsTobacco ControlTranslational science
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Publications
Publications
Youth experimentation with e-cigarettes : Another interpretation of the data
AbstractAbrams, D., Niaura, R. S., Glynn, T. J., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2014Journal title
JAMA - Journal of the American Medical AssociationVolume
312Issue
6Page(s)
641-642Abstract~A Cost-Utility Analysis of Lung Cancer Screening and the Additional Benefits of Incorporating Smoking Cessation Interventions
AbstractAbrams, D., Villanti, A. C., Jiang, Y., Abrams, D. B., & Pyenson, B. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
PloS oneVolume
8Issue
8AbstractBackground:A 2011 report from the National Lung Screening Trial indicates that three annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screenings for lung cancer reduced lung cancer mortality by 20% compared to chest X-ray among older individuals at high risk for lung cancer. Discussion has shifted from clinical proof to financial feasibility. The goal of this study was to determine whether LDCT screening for lung cancer in a commercially-insured population (aged 50-64) at high risk for lung cancer is cost-effective and to quantify the additional benefits of incorporating smoking cessation interventions in a lung cancer screening program.Methods and Findings:The current study builds upon a previous simulation model to estimate the cost-utility of annual, repeated LDCT screenings over 15 years in a high risk hypothetical cohort of 18 million adults between age 50 and 64 with 30+ pack-years of smoking history. In the base case, the lung cancer screening intervention cost $27.8 billion over 15 years and yielded 985,284 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained for a cost-utility ratio of $28,240 per QALY gained. Adding smoking cessation to these annual screenings resulted in increases in both the costs and QALYs saved, reflected in cost-utility ratios ranging from $16,198 per QALY gained to $23,185 per QALY gained. Annual LDCT lung cancer screening in this high risk population remained cost-effective across all sensitivity analyses.Conclusions:The findings of this study indicate that repeat annual lung cancer screening in a high risk cohort of adults aged 50-64 is highly cost-effective. Offering smoking cessation interventions with the annual screening program improved the cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening between 20% and 45%. The cost-utility ratios estimated in this study were in line with other accepted cancer screening interventions and support inclusion of annual LDCT screening for lung cancer in a high risk population in clinical recommendations.Compensation predicts smoking cessation failure
AbstractAbrams, D., Niaura, R. S., Pearson, J. L., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
PsychopharmacologyVolume
230Issue
2Page(s)
261-266AbstractRationale: Compensation is a potential result of decreasing the available nicotine and tar dose in cigarettes. There is little published data linking compensation with cessation. Objectives: We sought to examine whether compensation in response to restricted cigarette yield is associated with difficulty quitting smoking. Methods: Questionnaires and blood samples were collected from 174 smokers interested in quitting smoking as part of a larger smoking cessation study. Participants were instructed to use a filter designed to remove 50 % of tar and nicotine from the cigarette but otherwise smoke normally. Participants returned after 3 days of using the filter for follow-up data collection. Results: Nicotine levels and cigarettes per day decreased after use of the filter. Baseline nicotine and change in nicotine pre/post filter use, but not cigarettes per day or change in cigarettes per day were associated with smoking abstinence at 30 days. Conclusions: Smokers who demonstrate sensitivity to the biological or behavioral consequences of decreased nicotine content in tobacco smoke have greater difficulty quitting. These findings suggest the need for personalized cessation treatment linked to behavioral compensation.Cost-effectiveness of internet and telephone treatment for smoking cessation : An economic evaluation of the iQUITT study
AbstractAbrams, D., Graham, A. L., Chang, Y., Fang, Y., Cobb, N. K., Tinkelman, D. S., Niaura, R. S., Abrams, D. B., & Mandelblatt, J. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Tobacco controlVolume
22Issue
6AbstractBackground Internet and telephone treatments for smoking cessation can reach large numbers of smokers. There is little research on their costs and the impact of adherence on costs and effects. Objective To conduct an economic evaluation of The iQUITT Study, a randomised trial comparing Basic Internet, Enhanced Internet and Enhanced Internet plus telephone counselling ('Phone') at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. Methods We used a payer perspective to evaluate the average and incremental cost per quitter of the three interventions using intention-to-treat analysis of 30-day single-point prevalence and multiple-point prevalence (MPP) abstinence rates. We also examined results based on adherence. Costs included commercial charges for each intervention. Discounting was not included given the short time horizon. Results Basic Internet had the lowest cost per quitter at all time points. In the analysis of incremental costs per additional quitter, Enhanced Internet+Phone was the most cost-effective using both single and MPP abstinence metrics. As adherence increased, the cost per quitter dropped across all arms. Costs per quitter were lowest among participants who used the 'optimal' level of each intervention, with an average cost per quitter at 3 months of US$7 for Basic Internet, US$164 for Enhanced Internet and US$346 for Enhanced Internet +Phone. Conclusions 'Optimal' adherence to internet and combined internet and telephone interventions yields the highest number of quitters at the lowest cost. Cost-effective means of ensuring adherence to such evidence-based programmes could maximise their population-level impact on smoking prevalence.Engagement promotes abstinence in a web-based cessation intervention : Cohort study
AbstractAbrams, D., Richardson, A., Graham, A. L., Cobb, N., Xiao, H., Mushro, A., Abrams, D. S., & Vallone, D. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Journal of medical Internet researchVolume
15Issue
1AbstractBackground: Web-based smoking cessation interventions can have a public health impact because they are both effective in promoting cessation and can reach large numbers of smokers in a cost-efficient manner. Their potential impact, however, has not been realized. It is still unclear how such interventions promote cessation, who benefits most, and how to improve their population impact. Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a highly promoted Web-based smoking cessation intervention to promote quit behavior over time, identify the most effective features, and understand who is most likely to use those features by using unweighted and weighted analyses to estimate the impact in the broader pool of registered site users. Methods: A sample of 1033 new adult registrants was recruited from a Web-based smoking cessation intervention by using an automated study management system. Abstinence was assessed by self-report through a mixed-mode follow-up (online survey with telephone follow-up for nonrespondents) at 1, 3, and 6 months. Software tracked respondents' online activity. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to examine predictors of website utilization and how utilization promoted abstinence using unweighted and weighted data. Results: The 7-day point prevalence abstinence rates at 6 months ranged from 20.68% to 11.13% in the responder and intent-to-treat samples, respectively. Predictors of abstinence in unweighted analyses included number of visits to the website as well as accessing specific interactive or engaging features. In weighted analyses, only number of visits was predictive of abstinence. Motivation to quit was a key predictor of website utilization, whereas negative partner support decreased the likelihood of increasing visits or accessing engaging features. Conclusions: Engagement is critical to promoting smoking cessation. The next generation of Web-based smoking cessation interventions needs to maximize the initial engagement of all new visitors and work to retain those smokers who proceed to register on the site.Geospatial exposure to point-of-sale tobacco : Real-time craving and smoking-cessation outcomes
AbstractAbrams, D., Kirchner, T. R., Cantrell, J., Anesetti-Rothermel, A., Ganz, O., Vallone, D. M., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
American journal of preventive medicineVolume
45Issue
4Page(s)
379-385AbstractBackground: Little is known about the factors that drive the association between point-of-sale marketing and behavior, because methods that directly link individual-level use outcomes to real-world point-of-sale exposure are only now beginning to be developed. Purpose: Daily outcomes during smoking cessation were examined as a function of both real-time geospatial exposure to point-of-sale tobacco (POST) and subjective craving to smoke. Methods: Continuous individual geospatial location data collected over the first month of a smoking-cessation attempt in 2010-2012 (N=475) were overlaid on a POST outlet geodatabase (N=1060). Participants' mobility data were used to quantify the number of times they came into contact with a POST outlet. Participants recorded real-time craving levels and smoking status via ecological momentary assessment (EMA) on cellular telephones. Results: The final data set spanned a total of 12,871 days of EMA and geospatial tracking. Lapsing was significantly more likely on days with any POST contact (OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.18, 1.20), and increasingly likely as the number of daily POST contacts increased (OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.06, 1.08). Overall, daily POST exposure was significantly associated with lapsing when craving was low (OR=1.22, 95% CI=1.20, 1.23); high levels of craving were more directly associated with lapse outcomes. Conclusions: These data shed light on the way mobility patterns drive a dynamic interaction between individuals and the POST environment, demonstrating that quantification of individuals' exposure to POST marketing can be used to identify previously unrecognized patterns of association among individual mobility, the built environment, and behavioral outcomes.Improving adherence to web-based cessation programs : a randomized controlled trial study protocol.
AbstractAbrams, D., Graham, A. L., Cha, S., Papandonatos, G. D., Cobb, N. K., Mushro, A., Fang, Y., Niaura, R. S., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Unknown JournalVolume
14AbstractReducing smoking prevalence is a public health priority that can save more lives and money than almost any other known preventive intervention. Internet interventions have the potential for enormous public health impact given their broad reach and effectiveness. However, most users engage only minimally with even the best designed websites, diminishing their impact due to an insufficient 'dose'. Two approaches to improve adherence to Internet cessation programs are integrating smokers into an online social network and providing free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Active participation in online communities is associated with higher rates of cessation. Integrating smokers into an online social network can increase support and may also increase utilization of cessation tools and NRT. Removing barriers to NRT may increase uptake and adherence, and may also increase use of online cessation tools as smokers look for information and support while quitting. The combination of both strategies may exert the most powerful effects on adherence compared to either strategy alone. This study compares the efficacy of a smoking cessation website (WEB) alone and in conjunction with free NRT and a social network (SN) protocol designed to integrate participants into the online community. Using a 2 (SN, no SN) x 2 (NRT, no NRT) randomized, controlled factorial design with repeated measures at baseline, 3 months, and 9 months, this study will recruit N = 4,000 new members of an internet cessation program and randomize them to: 1) WEB, 2) WEB + SN, 3) WEB + NRT, or 4) WEB + SN + NRT. Hypotheses are that all interventions will outperform WEB and that WEB + SN + NRT will outperform WEB + NRT and WEB + SN on 30-day point prevalence abstinence at 9 months. Exploratory analyses will examine theory-driven hypotheses about the mediators and moderators of outcome. Addressing adherence in internet cessation programs is critical and timely to leverage their potential public health impact. This study is innovative in its use of a social network approach to improve behavioral and pharmacological treatment utilization to improve cessation. This approach is significant for reducing tobacco's devastating disease burden and for optimizing behavior change in other arenas where adherence is just as critical. ISRCTN:ISRCTN45127327.Menthol cigarettes and mortality : Keeping focus on the public health standard
AbstractAbrams, D., Villanti, A. C., Giovino, G. A., Burns, D. M., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
15Issue
2Page(s)
617-618Abstract~Public support for mandated nicotine reduction in cigarettes
AbstractAbrams, D., Pearson, J. L., Abrams, D. B., Niaura, R. S., Richardson, A., & Vallone, D. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2013Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
103Issue
3Page(s)
562-567AbstractObjectives. We assessed public support for a potential Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-mandated reduction in cigarette nicotine content. Methods. We used nationally representative data from a June 2010 crosssectional survey of US adults (n = 2649) to obtain weighted point estimates and correlates of support for mandated nicotine reduction. We also assessed the potential role of political ideology in support of FDA regulation of nicotine. Results. Nearly 50% of the public supported mandated cigarette nicotine reduction, with another 28% having no strong opinion concerning this potential FDA regulation. Support for nicotine reduction was highest among Hispanics, African Americans, and those with less than a high school education. Among smokers, the odds of supporting FDA nicotine regulation were 2.77 times higher among smokers who intended to quit in the next 6 months than among those with no plans to quit. Conclusions. Mandating nicotine reduction in cigarettes to nonaddictive levels may reduce youth initiation and facilitate adult cessation. The reasons behind nicotine regulation need to be communicated to the public to preempt tobacco industry efforts to impede such a regulation.Smoking prevention policies and programs
AbstractAbrams, D., Villanti, A., & Abrams, D. S. (n.d.). (M. Gellman & J. Turner, Eds.).Publication year
2013Abstract~A ban on menthol cigarettes : Impact on public opinion and smokers' intention to quit
AbstractAbrams, D., Pearson, J. L., Abrams, D. B., Niaura, R. S., Richardson, A., & Vallone, D. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
102Issue
11Page(s)
e107-e114AbstractObjectives. We assessed support for a ban by the Food and Drug Administration on menthol in cigarettes and behavioral intentions among menthol smokers in the event of such a ban. Methods. We surveyed 2649 never, former, and current smokers and used ordinal logistic regression to calculate weighted point estimates and predictors of support for a menthol ban among the adult population and menthol smokers only. For menthol smokers, we also calculated weighted point estimates and predictors of behavioral intentions. Results. Overall, 28.2% of adults opposed, 20.0% supported, and 51.9% lacked a strong opinion about a menthol ban. Support was highest among Hispanics (36.4%), African Americans (29.0%), never smokers (26.8%), and respondents with less than a high school education (28.8%). Nearly 40% of menthol smokers said they would quit if menthol cigarettes were no longer available, 12.5% would switch to a nonmenthol brand, and 25.2% would both switch and try to quit. Conclusions. Support for a menthol ban is strongest among populations with the highest prevalence of menthol cigarette use. A menthol ban might motivate many menthol smokers to quit.A transdisciplinary approach to protocol development for tobacco control research : A case study
AbstractAbrams, D., Clark, M. A., Rogers, M. L., Boergers, J., Kahler, C. W., Ramsey, S., Saadeh, F. M., Abrams, D. B., Buka, S. L., Niaura, R. S., & Colby, S. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Translational Behavioral MedicineVolume
2Issue
4Page(s)
431-440AbstractThe increasing complexity of scientific problems related to lifestyle risk factors has prompted substantial investments in transdisciplinary or team science initiatives at the biological, psychosocial, and population levels of analysis. To date, the actual process of conducting team science from the perspectives of investigators engaged in it has not been well documented. We describe the experience of developing and implementing data collection protocols using the principles of transdisciplinary science. The New England Family Study Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center was a 10-year collaboration involving more than 85 investigators and consultants from more than 20 disciplines as well as more than 50 research staff. We used a two-phase process in which all the study personnel participated in the developing and testing of 160 instruments. These instruments were used in 4,378 assessments with 3,501 participants. With substantial effort, it is possible to build a team of scientists from diverse backgrounds that can develop a set of instruments using a shared conceptual approach, despite limited or no experience working together previously.Are smokers with HIV using information and communication technology? implications for behavioral interventions
AbstractAbrams, D., Chander, G., Stanton, C., Hutton, H. E., Abrams, D. B., Pearson, J., Knowlton, A., Latkin, C., Holtgrave, D., Moore, R. D., & Niaura, R. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
AIDS and BehaviorVolume
16Issue
2Page(s)
383-388AbstractSmoking is highly prevalent among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and associated with adverse outcomes including malignancy and cardiovascular disease. Information and communication technology (ICT) may be effective in disseminating cessation interventions among PLWHA. This study examines the prevalence of ICT use among 492 PLWHA attending an urban clinic and characteristics associated with ICT use. Participants completed a survey of demographics, smoking status, and ICT use. Factors associated with ICT use were examined with logistic regression. Overall, 63% of participants smoked with 73% of smokers owning their own cell phone. Use of other modalities was lower, with 48% of smokers reporting any internet use, 39% text messaging, and 31% using email. Higher education was associated with the use of all modalities. Cell phone interventions may have the broadest reach among PLWHA, though with almost half using the internet, this may also be a low-cost means of delivering cessation interventions.Commentary on Wagener etal. (2012) : Laissez-faire regulation: Turning back the clock on the Food and Drug Administration and public health
AbstractAbrams, D., Cobb, N. K., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
AddictionVolume
107Issue
9Page(s)
1552-1554Abstract~Development and reliability of the lifetime interview on smoking trajectories
AbstractAbrams, D., Colby, S. M., Clark, M. A., Rogers, M. L., Ramsey, S., Graham, A. L., Boergers, J., Kahler, C. W., Papandonatos, G. D., Buka, S. L., Niaura, R. S., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
14Issue
3Page(s)
290-298AbstractIntroduction: Assessments of lifetime smoking history are useful in many types of research including surveillance, epidemiology, prevention, intervention, and studies of genetic phenotypes and heritability. Because prospective assessment is impractical for most research, our objective was to develop a reliable retrospective measure of lifetime smoking history. This paper presents descriptive and test-retest reliability data on smoking history variables assessed using the Lifetime Interview on Smoking Trajectories (LIST). Methods: Data were collected on a birth cohort sample of 1,625 men and women (ages 34-44) from the Collaborative Perinatal Project. A subsample of 344 was invited to participate in a retest interview 4-8 weeks later and 220 participated. Indices of test-retest reliability were evaluated for smoking history variables, including: (a) early smoking experiences; (b) age at various smoking milestones, such as first puff, and progression to weekly and daily smoking; (c) smoking rate and time to first cigarette within initial, current, most recent, and heaviest phases; and (d) prolonged nonsmoking phases. Results: Responses to whether each of 5 major smoking milestones occurred were all highly reliable (k = .78 - .92), and of the 20 phase-specific variables assessed, more than half were reported at the highest level of reliability. None of the variables demonstrated low reliability. Conclusions: Although retrospective reports have unavoidable limitations, our findings indicate that the LIST is a reliable instrument for assessing detailed retrospective smoking history data and can be used to add to the knowledge base of how patterns of use relate to a variety of outcomes of interest.E-cigarette awareness, use, and harm perceptions in US adults
AbstractAbrams, D., Pearson, J. L., Richardson, A., Niaura, R. S., Vallone, D. M., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
102Issue
9Page(s)
1758-1766AbstractObjectives. We estimated e-cigarette (electronic nicotine delivery system) awareness, use, and harm perceptions among US adults. Methods. We drew data from 2 surveys conducted in 2010: a national online study (n = 2649) and the Legacy Longitudinal Smoker Cohort (n = 3658). We used multivariable models to examine e-cigarette awareness, use, and harm perceptions. Results. In the online survey, 40.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 37.3, 43.1) had heard of e-cigarettes, with awareness highest among current smokers. Utilization was higher among current smokers (11.4%; 95% CI = 9.3, 14.0) than in the total population (3.4%; 95% CI = 2.6, 4.2), with 2.0% (95% CI = 1.0, 3.8) of former smokers and 0.8% (95% CI = 0.35, 1.7) of never-smokers ever using e-cigarettes. In both surveys, non-Hispanic Whites, current smokers, young adults, and those with at least a high-school diploma were most likely to perceive e-cigarettes as less harmful than regular cigarettes. Conclusions. Awareness of e-cigarettes is high, and use among current and former smokers is evident. We recommend product regulation and careful surveillance to monitor public health impact and emerging utilization patterns, and to ascertain why, how, and under what conditions e-cigarettes are being used.Erratum : Online social networks and smoking cessation: A scientific research agenda (Journal of Medical Internet Research (2004) 6:3 (e34))
AbstractAbrams, D., Cobb, N. K., Graham, A. L., Byron, M. J., Niaura, R. S., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Journal of medical Internet researchVolume
14Issue
1Page(s)
e12Abstract~Individual mobility patterns and real-time geo-spatial exposure to point-of-sale tobacco marketing
AbstractAbrams, D., Kirchner, T. R., Cantrell, J., Anesetti-Rothermel, A., Pearson, J., Cha, S., Kreslake, J., Ganz, O., Tacelosky, M., Abrams, D. S., & Vallone, D. (n.d.).Publication year
2012AbstractHealth-related behaviors occur as part of a broad socio-ecological context that unfolds dynamically over time. Yet systematic quantification of the way individuals come into contact with health-related features in their local environment remains a difficult challenge. Doing so requires a multi-tiered approach that integrates both individual geo-location data and comprehensive community-level information about health-related features in the local built environment. This report describes the implementation of a system for quantification of real-time exposure to point-of-sale tobacco marketing via mobile phone geo-location tracking. Individual mobility patterns from a longitudinal cohort of DC residents (N=486) were overlaid on an existing community-level point-of-sale surveillance geodatabase (N=1,080 stores). Participants were DC residents who carried a geolocation tracking device over the first 8-weeks of a smoking cessation attempt. Tracking data were then used to produce a mobility "signature," physically linking each person to their surrounding point-of-sale marketing environment in real-time. Results demonstrate the dynamic nature of an individuals' experience of the point-of-sale environment. We identify substantial between-person differences in tobacco product pricing exposure, and find that these correspond to clusters of individuals whose price exposures vary systematically over time of day. These data suggest that perceptions of the point-of-sale environment as relatively static fail to account for the mobility and preferences of individuals as they actively engage with their neighborhoods over time.Menthol brand switching among adolescents and young adults in the national youth smoking cessation survey
AbstractAbrams, D., Villanti, A. C., Giovino, G. A., Barker, D. C., Mowery, P. D., Sevilimedu, V., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
102Issue
7Page(s)
1310-1312AbstractThis study examines patterns of menthol and nonmenthol cigarette use from 2003 to 2005 in a cohort of smokers, aged 16 to 24 years in the National Youth Smoking Cessation Survey. At follow-up, 15.0% of baseline menthol smokers had switched to nonmentholated cigarettes; by contrast, 6.9% of baseline nonmenthol smokers had switched to mentholated cigarettes. Differences in switching patterns were evident by gender, race/ethnicity, parental education, and smoking frequency. These data support previous evidence that young smokers start with mentholated cigarettes and progress to nonmentholated cigarettes.Patterns of tobacco use and dual use in US young adults : The missing link between youth prevention and adult cessation
AbstractAbrams, D., Rath, J. M., Villanti, A. C., Abrams, D. B., & Vallone, D. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Journal of Environmental and Public HealthVolume
2012AbstractFew studies address the developmental transition from youth tobacco use uptake to regular adulthood use, especially for noncigarette tobacco products. The current study uses online panel data from the Legacy Young Adult Cohort Study to describe the prevalence of cigarette, other tobacco product, and dual use in a nationally representative sample of young adults aged 18-34 (N = 4,201). Of the 23 of young adults who were current tobacco users, 30 reported dual use. Ever use, first product used, and current use were highest for cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, and hookah. Thirty-two percent of ever tobacco users reported tobacco product initiation after the age of 18 and 39 of regular users reported progressing to regular use during young adulthood. This study highlights the need for improved monitoring of polytobacco use across the life course and developing tailored efforts for young adults to prevent progression and further reduce overall population prevalence.Present and future horizons for transdisciplinary research
AbstractAbrams, D., Rimer, B. K., & Abrams, D. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
American journal of preventive medicineVolume
42Issue
2Page(s)
200-201Abstract~The role of public policies in reducing smoking : The minnesota simsmoke tobacco policy model
AbstractAbrams, D., Levy, D. T., Boyle, R. G., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
American journal of preventive medicineVolume
43Issue
5 SUPPL. 3Page(s)
S179-S186AbstractBackground: Following the landmark lawsuit and settlement with the tobacco industry, Minnesota pursued the implementation of stricter tobacco control policies, including tax increases, mass media campaigns, smokefree air laws, and cessation treatment policies. Modeling is used to examine policy effects on smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable deaths. Purpose: To estimate the effect of tobacco control policies in Minnesota on smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable deaths using the SimSmoke simulation model. Methods: Minnesota data starting in 1993 are applied to SimSmoke, a simulation model used to examine the effect of tobacco control policies over time on smoking initiation and cessation. Upon validating the model against smoking prevalence, SimSmoke is used to distinguish the effect of policies implemented since 1993 on smoking prevalence. Using standard attribution methods, SimSmoke also estimates deaths averted as a result of the policies. Results: SimSmoke predicts smoking prevalence accurately between 1993 and 2011. Since 1993, a relative reduction in smoking rates of 29% by 2011 and of 41% by 2041 can be attributed to tobacco control policies, mainly tax increases, smokefree air laws, media campaigns, and cessation treatment programs. Moreover, 48,000 smoking-attributable deaths will be averted by 2041. Conclusions: Minnesota SimSmoke demonstrates that tobacco control policies, especially taxes, have substantially reduced smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable deaths. Taxes, smokefree air laws, mass media, cessation treatment policies, and youth-access enforcement contributed to the decline in prevalence and deaths averted, with the strongest component being taxes. With stronger policies, for example, increasing cigarette taxes to $4.00 per pack, Minnesota's smoking rate could be reduced by another 13%, and 7200 deaths could be averted by 2041.A randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavioral treatment for depression versus relaxation training for alcohol-dependent individuals with elevated depressive symptoms
AbstractAbrams, D., Brown, R. A., Ramsey, S. E., Kahler, C. W., Palm, K. M., Monti, P. M., Abrams, D. S., Dubreuil, M., Gordon, A., & Miller, I. W. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and DrugsVolume
72Issue
2Page(s)
286-296AbstractObjective: A previous pilot study found positive outcomes among alcohol-dependent individuals with elevated depressive symptoms who received cognitive-behavioral treatment for depression (CBT-D; n = 19) compared with a relaxation training control (RTC; n = 16). The current study represents a replication of this pilot study using a larger sample size and a longer follow-up assessment period. Method: Patients entering a partial hospital drug and alcohol treatment program who met criteria for alcohol dependence and elevated depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory score ≥ 15) were recruited and randomly assigned to receive eight individual sessions of CBT-D (n = 81) or RTC (n = 84). Results: There were significant improvements in depressive and alcohol use outcomes over time for all participants. Compared with RTC, the CBT-D condition had significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory, at the 6-week follow-up. However, this effect was inconsistent because there were no differences in the Modified Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression between conditions at that time point and there were no significant differences at any other follow-up. No significant between-group differences on alcohol use outcomes were found. Conclusions: The current findings did not replicate the positive outcomes observed in the CBT-D condition in our previous pilot study. Possible explanations for why these findings were not replicated are discussed, as are theoretical and clinical implications of using CBT-D in alcohol treatment.A randomized trial of internet and telephone treatment for smoking cessation
AbstractAbrams, D., Graham, A. L., Cobb, N. K., Papandonatos, G. D., Moreno, J. L., Kang, H., Tinkelman, D. G., Bock, B. C., Niaura, R. S., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Archives of Internal MedicineVolume
171Issue
1Page(s)
46-53AbstractBackground: This study aimed to determine the relative effect of Internet and Internet plus telephone treatment for smoking cessation on smoking abstinence among US adults. A priori hypotheses were that Internet enhanced with tailored content and social support would outperform basic Internet (BI) and that enhanced Internet (EI) plus proactive telephone counseling would outperform the other conditions. Methods: The Quit Using Internet and Telephone Treatment (iQUITT) study used a 3-group randomized controlled design comparing BI, EI, and EI and telephone combined (EI+P). The trial was conducted from March 8, 2005, through November 30, 2008. Current adult smokers in the United States who smoked 5 or more cigarettes per day were recruited via search engines. Characteristics of the 2005 participants include mean (SD) age of 35.9 (10.8) years, 51.1% women, and 86.5% white. The follow-up assessment rate at 18 months was 68.2%. The main outcome measure was 30-day point prevalence abstinence measured at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after randomization using intent-to-treat analysis. Results: At 18 months, the 30-day multiple point prevalence abstinence rate across all follow-up intervals was 3.5% (BI), 4.5% (EI), and 7.7% (EI+P), with EI+P significantly outperforming BI and EI. At 18 months, 30-day single point prevalence abstinence rates were 19.0% (BI), 17.4% (EI), and 19.6% (EI+P) and did not differ among the groups. Conclusions: Combined Internet and telephone treatment outperforms static and dynamic Internet interventions. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00282009.Biography
AbstractAbrams, D., & Abrams, D. S. (n.d.). (M. Gellman & J. Turner, Eds.).Publication year
2011Abstract~