Raymond S Niaura
Raymond S Niaura
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Interim Chair of the Department of Epidemiology
Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Professional overview
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Dr. Raymond Niaura is a psychologist and an expert on tobacco dependence and treatment, as well as substance use and addiction to alcohol. Dr. Niaura researches the biobehavioral substrates of tobacco dependence, including factors that influence adolescent and early adult tobacco use trajectories. He also evaluates behavioral and pharmacological treatments for tobacco cessation, with a particular interest in cessation in disadvantaged population to address public health disparities in tobacco-related burdens of illness and disability.
For eight year, Dr. Niaura was the Director of Science and Training at the Schroeder Institute (SI) for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at the Truth Initiative, where he also supervised the pre- and post-doctoral training programs. Dr. Niaura has previously taught and conducted research at Brown University, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Georgetown Medical Center, and the School of Public Health at University of Maryland. He was also a former President of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco and is a Deputy Editor of the Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
With grants from the National Institutes of Health, numerous foundations, and private industry, Dr. Niaura has published over 400 peer-reviewed articles, commentaries, and book chapters, including the book The Tobacco Dependence Treatment Handbook: A Guide to Best Practices.
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Education
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BA, Psychology (First Class Honors), McGill University, Montreal, CanadaMS, Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJPhD, Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
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Honors and awards
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Research Laureate, American Academy of Health Behavior (2009)University Scholar Award, McGill University (1979)
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Areas of research and study
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Alcohol, Tobacco and Driving PoliciesEvaluationsHealth DisparitiesSubstance AbuseTobacco Control
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Publications
Publications
Relationships Between E-cigarette Use and Subsequent Cigarette Initiation Among Adolescents in the PATH Study: an Entropy Balancing Propensity Score Analysis
AbstractXu, S., Coffman, D. L., Liu, B., Xu, Y., He, J., & Niaura, R. S. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
Prevention ScienceVolume
23Issue
4Page(s)
608-617AbstractThis study aimed to examine the relationship between electronic cigarette use and subsequent combustible cigarette use, controlling for confounding by using a propensity score method approach. Data from the first three annual waves of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study were analyzed (n = 6309). Participants were tobacco-naïve at Wave 1; used e-cigarettes exclusively (n = 414), used combustible cigarettes exclusively (n = 46), or not used any tobacco products (n = 5849) at Wave 2. We conducted entropy balancing propensity score analysis to examine the association between exclusive e-cigarette or cigarette initiation and subsequent cigarette use at Wave 3, adjusting for non-response bias, sampling bias, and confounding. Among tobacco-naïve youth, exclusive e-cigarette use was associated with greater risk for subsequent combustible cigarette smoking initiation (OR = 3.42, 95% CI = (1.99, 5.93)) and past 30-day combustible cigarette use (OR = 2.88, 95% CI = (1.22, 6.86)) in the following year. However, the latter risk was comparatively lower than the risk if youth started with a combustible cigarette (OR = 25.79, 95% CI = (9.68, 68.72)). Results of sensitivity analyses indicated that estimated effects were robust to unmeasured confounding. Use of e-cigarettes in tobacco-naïve youth is associated with increased risk of subsequent past 30-day combustible cigarette use but the risk is an order of magnitude higher if they start with a combustible cigarette.Tobacco Product Use and Functionally Important Respiratory Symptoms Among US Adolescents/Young Adults
AbstractTanski, S., Halenar, M. J., Edwards, K. C., Emond, J., Woloshin, S., Brunette, M., Schwartz, L., Taylor, K. A., Goniewicz, M. L., Niaura, R., Anic, G., Chen, Y., Callahan-Lyon, P., Gardner, L. D., Thekkudan, T., Borek, N., Kimmel, H. L., Cummings, K. M., Hyland, A., & Sargent, J. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
Academic PediatricsVolume
22Issue
6Page(s)
1006-1016AbstractObjective: The relation between respiratory symptoms and the range of tobacco product use among US adolescents/young adults is not yet clear. This cross-sectional analysis examines tobacco product use and respiratory symptoms in a nationally representative sample of 21,057 adolescents/young adults aged 12–24 years from Wave 4 (2016–17) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Methods: Presence of functionally important respiratory symptoms was defined by questions regarding wheezing and nighttime cough at a cutoff score associated with poorer functional health status. Past-30-day tobacco use was analyzed 2 ways: never-tobacco users (reference) versus combustible users, noncombustible-only users, and former users; or frequency of use of cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes. Weighted Poisson regression adjusted for past-30-day marijuana use, secondhand smoke exposure, and asthma. Results: Functionally important respiratory symptoms were present in 10.0% overall: 13.8% of combustible users, 9.0% of noncombustible users, 8.2% of noncurrent users and 9.7% of never users. Functionally important respiratory symptoms were associated with combustible tobacco use (relative risk [RR] = 1.52[95% CI 1.29, 1.80]), marijuana use (RR = 1.54[1.34, 1.77]) and secondhand smoke exposure (RR = 1.04[1.03, 1.05]). Higher cigarette smoking frequency was also associated with functionally important respiratory symptoms for frequency categories >14 days/month (eg, RR = 1.93[1.50, 2.49] for 15–29 days/month). Frequency of e-cigarette use was not associated with functionally important respiratory symptoms. Conclusions: During 2016–17, smoking cigarettes, marijuana use, and secondhand smoke exposure were cross-sectionally associated with functionally important respiratory symptoms in adolescents/young adults. Risk increased with increased frequency of cigarette use but not e-cigarette use. Given changes to contemporary e-cigarettes and use, findings may not generalize to newer products.Tobacco Use and Respiratory Symptoms Among Adults: Findings From the Longitudinal Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study 2014-2016
AbstractSargent, J. D., Halenar, M. J., Edwards, K. C., Woloshin, S., Schwartz, L., Emond, J., Tanski, S., Taylor, K. A., Pierce, J. P., Liu, J., Goniewicz, M. L., Niaura, R., Anic, G., Chen, Y., Callahan-Lyon, P., Gardner, L. D., Thekkudan, T., Borek, N., Kimmel, H. L., … Brunette, M. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
24Issue
10Page(s)
1607-1618AbstractIntroduction: We examined the relationship between current tobacco use and functionally important respiratory symptoms. Methods: Longitudinal cohort study of 16 295 US adults without COPD in Waves 2-3 (W2-3, 2014-2016) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Exposure - Ten mutually exclusive categories of tobacco use including single product, multiple product, former, and never use (reference). Outcome - Seven questions assessing wheezing/cough were summed to create a respiratory symptom index; cutoffs of ≥2 and ≥3 were associated with functional limitations and poorer health. Multivariable regressions examined both cutoffs cross-sectionally and change over approximately 12 months, adjusting for confounders. Results: All tobacco use categories featuring cigarettes (>2/3's of users) were associated with higher risk (vs. never users) for functionally important respiratory symptoms at W2, for example, at symptom severity ≥ 3, risk ratio for exclusive cigarette use was 2.34 [95% CI, 1.92, 2.85] and for worsening symptoms at W3 was 2.80 [2.08, 3.76]. There was largely no increased symptom risk for exclusive use of cigars, smokeless tobacco, hookah, or e-cigarettes (adjustment for pack-years and marijuana attenuated the cross-sectional e-cigarette association from 1.53(95% CI 0.98, 2.40) to 1.05 (0.67, 1.63); RRs for these products were also significantly lower compared to exclusive use of cigarettes. The longitudinal e-cigarette-respiratory symptom association was sensitive to the respiratory index cutoff level; exclusive e-cigarette use was associated with worsening symptoms at an index cutoff ≥ 2 (RR = 1.63 [1.02, 2.59]) and with symptom improvement at an index cutoff of ≥ 3 (RR = 1.64 [1.04, 2.58]). Conclusions: Past and current cigarette smoking drove functionally important respiratory symptoms, while exclusive use of other tobacco products was largely not associated. However, the relationship between e-cigarette use and symptoms was sensitive to adjustment for pack-years and symptom severity. Implications: How noncigarette tobacco products affect respiratory symptoms is not clear; some studies implicate e-cigarettes. We examined functionally important respiratory symptoms (wheezing/nighttime cough) among US adults without COPD. The majority of adult tobacco users smoke cigarettes and have higher risk of respiratory symptoms and worsening of symptoms, regardless of other products used with them. Exclusive use of other tobacco products (e-cigarettes, cigars, smokeless, hookah) was largely not associated with functionally important respiratory symptoms and risks associated with their use was significantly lower than for cigarettes. The association for e-cigarettes was greatly attenuated by adjustment for cigarette pack-years and sensitive to how symptoms were defined.Validation of the Wave 1 and Wave 2 Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Indicators of Tobacco Dependence Using Biomarkers of Nicotine Exposure Across Tobacco Products
AbstractStrong, D. R., Leas, E., Noble, M., White, M., Glasser, A., Taylor, K., Edwards, K. C., Frissell, K. C., Compton, W. M., Conway, K. P., Lambert, E., Kimmel, H. L., Silveira, M. L., Hull, L. C., Van Bemmel, D., Schroeder, M. J., Cummings, K. M., Hyland, A., Feng, J., … Niaura, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
24Issue
1Page(s)
10-19AbstractIntroduction: This study examined the predictive relationships between biomarkers of nicotine exposure and 16-item self-reported level of tobacco dependence (TD) and subsequent tobacco use outcomes. Aims and Methods: The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study surveyed adult current established tobacco users who provided urine biospecimens at Wave 1 (September 2013-December 2014) and completed the Wave 2 (October 2014-October 2015) interview (n = 6872). Mutually exclusive user groups at Wave 1 included: Cigarette Only, E-cigarette Only, Cigar Only, Hookah Only, Smokeless Tobacco Only, Cigarette Plus E-cigarette, multiple tobacco product users who smoked cigarettes, and multiple tobacco product users who did not smoke cigarettes. Total Nicotine Equivalents (TNE-2) and TD were measured at Wave 1. Approximate one-year outcomes included frequency/quantity used, quitting, and adding/switching to different tobacco products. Results: For Cigarette Only smokers and multiple tobacco product users who smoked cigarettes, higher TD and TNE-2 were associated with: A tendency to smoke more, smoking more frequently over time, decreased likelihood of switching away from cigarettes, and decreased probability of quitting after one year. For other product user groups, Wave 1 TD and/or TNE-2 were less consistently related to changes in quantity and frequency of product use, or for adding or switching products, but higher TNE-2 was more consistently predictive of decreased probability of quitting. Conclusions: Self-reported TD and nicotine exposure assess common and independent aspects of dependence in relation to tobacco use behaviors for cigarette smokers. For other product user groups, nicotine exposure is a more consistent predictor of quitting than self-reported TD. Implications: This study suggests that smoking cigarettes leads to the most coherent pattern of associations consistent with a syndrome of TD. Because cigarettes continue to be prevalent and harmful, efforts to decrease their use may be accelerated via conventional means (eg, smoking cessation interventions and treatments), but also perhaps by decreasing their dependence potential. The implications for noncombustible tobacco products are less clear as the stability of tobacco use patterns that include products such as e-cigarettes continue to evolve. TD, nicotine exposure measures, and consumption could be used in studies that attempt to understand and predict product-specific tobacco use behavioral outcomes.Youth E-Cigarette Use and Functionally Important Respiratory Symptoms: The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Waves 3 and 4
AbstractStevens, E. R., Xu, S., Niaura, R., Cleland, C. M., Sherman, S. E., Mai, A., Karey, E., & Jiang, N. (n.d.).Publication year
2022Journal title
International journal of environmental research and public healthVolume
19Issue
22AbstractRespiratory effects of e-cigarette use among youth are not fully understood. This study investigated the longitudinal association between e-cigarette use and a validated index of functionally important respiratory symptoms among US youth. Data from Waves 3–4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study were analyzed. The sample included youth (aged 12–17) without asthma at baseline (Wave 3), who completed a follow-up survey (Wave 4), and were not missing data for analytic variables (n = 3899). Exposure was e-cigarette use status (never, former, or current) at baseline. The outcome was a respiratory symptom index based on responses for seven wheezing items at Wave 4. An index of ≥2 was defined as having functionally important respiratory symptoms. Lagged logistic regression models examined the association between baseline e-cigarette use and functionally important respiratory symptoms at follow-up by combustible tobacco use status (never or ever), and controlling for baseline covariates. At baseline, 13.7% of participants reported former e-cigarette use, and 4.3% reported current use. Baseline e-cigarette use did not increase the odds of having functionally important respiratory symptoms at follow-up regardless of combustible tobacco use status. Future research on larger populations of e-cigarette users with longer follow-up periods will improve our understanding of the respiratory risks associated with e-cigarette use among youth.A pilot randomized controlled trial of a tailored smoking cessation program for people living with HIV in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
AbstractKierstead, E. C., Harvey, E., Sanchez, D., Horn, K., Abroms, L. C., Spielberg, F., Stanton, C. A., Debnam, C., Cohn, A. M., Gray, T., Magnus, M., Patel, M., Niaura, R., & Elf, J. L. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
BMC research notesVolume
14Issue
1AbstractObjective: Morbidity and mortality from smoking-related diseases among people living with HIV (PLWH) in the U.S. surpasses that due to HIV itself. Conventional smoking cessation treatments have not demonstrated strong efficacy among PLWH. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate a tailored smoking cessation intervention based on the minority stress model. We compared standard of care counseling (SOC) to a tailored intervention (TI) including one face-to-face counseling session incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy to build resilience, and 30 days of 2-way text messaging. Results: The primary outcome was smoking cessation. Secondary outcomes included cigarettes per day (CPD), exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), and cessation self-efficacy. A total of 25 participants were enrolled (TI:11, SOC:14), and 2 were lost to follow-up. There were no significant differences in quit rates between study groups. However, there was a significantly greater decrease in CPD in the TI versus SOC (13.5 vs. 0.0, p-value:0.036). Additionally, self-efficacy increased in both groups (TI p-value:0.012, SOC p-value:0.049) and CO decreased in both groups (TI p-value: < 0.001, SOC p-value:0.049). This intervention shows promise to support smoking cessation among PLWH. A larger study is needed to fully evaluate the efficacy of this approach. Clinical trial: Trial Registration: Retrospectively registered (10/20/2020) NCT04594109.Association of e-Cigarette Use with Discontinuation of Cigarette Smoking among Adult Smokers Who Were Initially Never Planning to Quit
AbstractKasza, K. A., Edwards, K. C., Kimmel, H. L., Anesetti-Rothermel, A., Cummings, K. M., Niaura, R. S., Sharma, A., Ellis, E. M., Jackson, R., Blanco, C., Silveira, M. L., Hatsukami, D. K., & Hyland, A. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
JAMA network openVolume
4Issue
12AbstractImportance: Cigarette smokers not planning to quit are often overlooked in population studies evaluating the risk-benefit potential of electronic nicotine delivery products (e-cigarettes). Objective: To evaluate whether e-cigarette use is associated with discontinuing cigarette smoking among smokers who were initially never planning to quit. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used US nationally representative data from the longitudinal Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (waves 2-5 conducted between October 2014 and November 2019), with participants evaluated in 3 pairs of interviews. Adult daily cigarette smokers initially not using e-cigarettes and with no plans to ever quit smoking for good (2489 observations from 1600 individuals) were included. Exposures: e-Cigarette use (ie, daily use, nondaily use, or no use) at follow-up interview among smokers not using e-cigarettes at baseline interview. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes were discontinuation of cigarette smoking (ie, no cigarette smoking) and discontinuation of daily cigarette smoking (ie, no daily cigarette smoking) at follow-up interview. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the association between the exposure and each outcome, controlling for demographic characteristics and cigarettes smoked per day at baseline interview; all estimates were weighted. Results: The weighted population of adult daily cigarette smokers who were not using e-cigarettes and had no plans to ever quit smoking, based on data from 1600 participants, was 56.1% male (95% CI, 53.4%-58.7%), 10.1% Hispanic (95% CI, 8.2%-12.3%), 10.1% non-Hispanic Black (95% CI, 8.7%-11.7%), 75.6% non-Hispanic White (95% CI, 72.9%-78.2%), and 4.2% of other non-Hispanic race (95% CI, 3.3%-5.4%); 29.3% were aged 55 to 69 years (95% CI, 26.2%-32.6%), 8.9% were aged 70 years or older (95% CI, 6.8%-11.5%), 36.8% did not graduate from high school (95% CI, 34.1%-39.6%), 55.2% had an annual household income of less than $25000 (95% CI, 52.3%-58.1%), 37.6% smoked 20 to 29 cigarettes per day (95% CI, 34.7%-40.6%), and 12.7% smoked 30 or more cigarettes per day (95% CI, 10.9%-14.7%). Overall, 6.2% of the population (95% CI, 5.0%-7.5%) discontinued cigarette smoking. Discontinuation rates were higher among those who used e-cigarettes daily (28.0%; 95% CI, 15.2%-45.9%) compared with not at all (5.8%; 95% CI, 4.7%-7.2%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.11; 95% CI, 3.14-20.97). Furthermore, 10.7% (95% CI, 9.1%-12.5%) discontinued daily cigarette smoking, with higher rates of discontinuation observed among those who used e-cigarettes daily (45.5%; 95% CI, 27.4%-64.9%) compared with not at all (9.9%; 95% CI, 8.2%-11.8%; aOR, 9.67; 95% CI, 4.02-23.25). Nondaily e-cigarette use was not associated with cigarette discontinuation (aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.08-3.35) or daily cigarette discontinuation (aOR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.44-2.09). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, daily e-cigarette use was associated with greater odds of cigarette discontinuation among smokers who initially had no plans to ever quit smoking. These findings support the consideration of smokers who are not planning to quit when evaluating the risk-benefit potential of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation in the population.Balancing Consideration of the Risks and Benefits of E-Cigarettes
AbstractBalfour, D. J., Benowitz, N. L., Colby, S. M., Hatsukami, D. K., Lando, H. A., Leischow, S. J., Lerman, C., Mermelstein, R. J., Niaura, R., Perkins, K. A., Pomerleau, O. F., Rigotti, N. A., Swan, G. E., Warner, K. E., & West, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
American journal of public healthVolume
111Issue
9Page(s)
1661-1672AbstractThe topic of e-cigarettes is controversial. Opponents focus on e-cigarettes' risks for young people, while supporters emphasize the potential for e-cigarettes to assist smokers in quitting smoking. Most US health organizations, media coverage, and policymakers have focused primarily on risks to youths. Because of their messaging, much of the public - including most smokers - now consider e-cigarette use as dangerous as or more dangerous than smoking. By contrast, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that e-cigarette use is likely far less hazardous than smoking. Policies intended to reduce adolescent vaping may also reduce adult smokers' use of e-cigarettes in quit attempts. Because evidence indicates that e-cigarette use can increase the odds of quitting smoking, many scientists, including this essay's authors, encourage the health community, media, and policymakers to more carefully weigh vaping's potential to reduce adult smoking-attributable mortality. We review the health risks of e-cigarette use, the likelihood that vaping increases smoking cessation, concerns about youth vaping, and the need to balance valid concerns about risks to youths with the potential benefits of increasing adult smoking cessation.Biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress among adult former smoker, current e-cigarette users—results from wave 1 PATH study
AbstractChristensen, C. H., Chang, J. T., Rostron, B. L., Hammad, H. T., Van Bemmel, D. M., Del Valle-Pinero, A. Y., Wang, B., Mishina, E. V., Faulcon, L. M., DePina, A., Brown-Baker, L. N., Kimmel, H. L., Lambert, E., Blount, B. C., Vesper, H. W., Wang, L., Goniewicz, M. L., Hyland, A., Travers, M. J., … Chang, C. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and PreventionVolume
30Issue
10Page(s)
1947-1955AbstractBackground: Former smokers who currently use e-cigarettes have lower concentrations of biomarkers of tobacco toxicant exposure than current smokers. It is unclear whether tobacco toxicant exposure reductions may lead to health risk reductions. Methods: We compared inflammatory biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL6, fibrinogen, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and an oxidative stress marker (F2-isoprostane) among 3,712 adult participants in Wave 1 (2013–2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study by tobacco user groups: dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes; former smokers who currently use e-cigarettes-only; current cigarette-only smokers; former smokers who do not currently use any tobacco; and never tobacco users. We calculated geometric means (GM) and estimated adjusted GM ratios (GMR). Results: Dual users experienced greater concentration of F2-isoprostane than current cigarette-only smokers [GMR 1.09 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.03–1.15)]. Biomarkers were similar between former smokers who currently use e-cigarettes and both former smokers who do not use any tobacco and never tobacco users, but among these groups most biomarkers were lower than those of current cigarette-only smokers. The concentration of F2-isoprostane decreased by time since smoking cessation among both exclusive e-cigarette users (Ptrend ¼ 0.03) and former smokers who do not currently use any tobacco (Ptrend ¼ 0.0001). Conclusions: Dual users have greater concentration of F2-isoprostane than smokers. Exclusive e-cigarette users have biomarker concentrations that are similar to those of former smokers who do not currently use tobacco, and lower than those of exclusive cigarette smokers. Impact: This study contributes to an understanding of the health effects of e-cigarettes.Change in amount smoked and readiness to quit among patients undergoing lung cancer screening
AbstractDeros, D. E., Hagerman, C. J., Kramer, J. A., Anderson, E. D., Regis, S., McKee, A. B., McKee, B. J., Stanton, C. A., Niaura, R., Abrams, D. B., Ramsaier, M., Fallon, S., Harper, H., & Taylor, K. L. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Journal of Thoracic DiseaseVolume
13Issue
8Page(s)
4947-4955AbstractBackground: There is mixed evidence regarding whether undergoing computed tomography lung cancer screening (LCS) can serve as a "teachable moment" that impacts smoking behavior and attitudes. The study aim was to assess whether the standard procedures of undergoing LCS and receiving free and low-cost evidence-based cessation resources impacted short-term smoking-related outcomes. Methods: Participants were smokers (N=87) who were registered to undergo lung screening and were enrolled in a cessation intervention trial. We conducted two phone interviews, both preceding trial randomization: the first interview was conducted prior to lung screening, and the second interview followed lung screening (median =12.5 days post-screening) and participants' receipt of their screening results. The interviews assessed demographic characteristics, interest in evidence-based cessation intervention methods, and tobacco-related characteristics, including cigarettes per day and readiness to quit. Participants received minimal evidence-based cessation resources following the pre-lung screening interview. Results: Participants were 60.3 years old, 56.3% female, and reported a median of 40 pack-years. Participants were interested in using several evidence-based strategies, including counseling from a healthcare provider (76.7%) and receiving nicotine replacement therapy (69.8%). Pre-lung screening, 25.3% smoked =10 cigarettes per day, and 29.9% were ready to quit in the next 30 days. We conducted two McNemar binomial distribution tests to assess change from pre- to post-screening. At the post-lung screening assessment, approximately three-quarters reported no change on these variables. However, 23.3% reported smoking fewer cigarettes per day, whereas 4.7% reported smoking more cigarettes per day (McNemar P=0.002), and 17.2% reported increased readiness to quit, whereas 6.9% reported decreased readiness to quit (McNemar P=0.078). Conclusions: Following receipt of cessation resources and completion of lung screening, most participants reported no change in smoking outcomes. However, there was a significant reduction in cigarettes per day, and there was a trend for increased readiness to quit. This setting may provide a potential "teachable moment" and an opportunity to assist smokers with quitting. However, more proactive and intensive interventions will be necessary to capitalize on these changes and to support abstinence in the long-term.Changes from 2017 to 2018 in e-cigarette use and in ever marijuana use with e-cigarettes among US adolescents: analysis of the National Youth Tobacco Survey
AbstractFarsalinos, K., Barbouni, A., & Niaura, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
AddictionVolume
116Issue
1Page(s)
139-149AbstractAims: To examine changes from 2017 to 2018 in e-cigarette use and ever marijuana use with e-cigarettes among US adolescents. Design: Analysis of data from the 2017 and 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), cross-sectional surveys of US middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12) students. Setting: United States. Participants: US adolescent population from middle school, with mean age = 12.7 [standard deviation (SD) = 1.0] years, and high school, with mean age = 16.1 (SD = 1.3) years. Measurements: Analysis of e-cigarette use and ever use of marijuana with e-cigarettes according to frequency of use and smoking status, comparing 2017 with 2018. Frequent smoking and e-cigarette use was defined as use for ≥ 20 of the past 30 days. Findings: Past 30 days e-cigarette use was reported by 33.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 29.1–37.4%] of ever/no past 30 days smokers, 68.6% (95% CI = 64.1–72.7%) of past 30 days smokers and 7.2% (95% CI = 6.3–8.2%) of never smokers in 2018 and by 19.3% (95% CI = 16.1–23.1%), 53.0% (95% CI = 46.9–58.9%) and 3.3% (95% CI = 2.7–4.4%) in 2017, respectively (all P < 0.001). Prevalence of past 30 days e-cigarette use was higher among frequent smokers (69.8%, 95% CI = 62.3–76.5% in 2018; 53.8%, 95% CI = 44.1–63.2% in 2017, P < 0.001) and lower among never smokers. Most of the latter were infrequent users, while frequent and daily e-cigarette use was 18- and 24-fold lower compared with ever smokers, respectively. Approximately half of past 30 days and 70% of frequent e-cigarette users reported ever marijuana use with e-cigarettes in both years. Past 30 days smokers were more likely to report past 30 days e-cigarette use [odds ratio (OR) = 15.79, 95% CI = 12.58–19.83 in 2018; OR = 16.11, 95% CI = 12.44–20.86 in 2017) compared with adolescents reporting no past 30 days smoking. Conclusions: Among US adolescents, e-cigarette use increased in all smoking groups in 2018 compared with 2017. Frequent and daily e-cigarette use was far lower in never-smokers compared with ever-smokers. High prevalence of ever marijuana use with e-cigarettes was observed.E-Cigarette Use and COVID-19: Questioning Data Reliability
Farsalinos, K., & Niaura, R. (n.d.). In Journal of Adolescent Health (1–).Publication year
2021Volume
68Issue
1Page(s)
213E-cigarettes and Cessation: Asking Different Questions Requires Different Methods
Glasser, A., Giovenco, D. P., Levy, D. T., Vojjala, M., Cantrell, J., Abrams, D., & Niaura, R. (n.d.). In Nicotine and Tobacco Research (1–).Publication year
2021Volume
23Issue
5Page(s)
878-879Effects of pictorial warning label message framing and standardized packaging on cigarette packaging appeal among young adult smokers
AbstractJohnson, A. C., Luta, G., Tercyak, K. P., Niaura, R. S., & Mays, D. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Addictive BehaviorsVolume
120AbstractIntroduction: Pictorial warning labels and standardized “plain” packaging are policy interventions to reduce smoking, in part, by making cigarette packs and smoking less appealing. To inform potential policy decisions, this study examined the relative effects of message text framing (gain vs. loss) and cigarette packaging (standardized vs. branded) on appeal in a sample of young adult cigarette smokers. Methods: Cigarette smokers (N = 339) ages 18–30 completed two within-subjects experimental tasks. Tasks assessed the effects of message text framing (gain vs. loss) and packaging (standardized vs. branded) on cigarette packaging appeal. Task 1 was a 2 × 2 discrete choice experiment, where participants chose between each experimental pack and a standard branded cigarette pack without a pictorial warning label. Task 2 was a ranking task where participants ranked all packs on measures of appeal. Results: In Task 1, there were no significant differences in measures of appeal between packs displaying gain- vs. loss-framed message text, but all packs with pictorial warning labels significantly decreased appeal relative to standard branded packs without pictorial warning labels. Standardized packs with pictorial warning labels significantly reduced appeal relative to branded packs with pictorial warning labels and standard branded packs without pictorial warning labels. Task 2 pack rankings showed similar effects of pictorial warning labels and standardized packaging on appeal. Conclusions: Pictorial warning labels with gain- and loss-framed text were equally powerful at reducing appeal of cigarette packs in young adult smokers relative to branded packs without pictorial warning labels, especially when combined with standardized packaging.Estimating the population health impact of recently introduced modified risk tobacco products: A comparison of different approaches
AbstractLee, P. N., Abrams, D., Bachand, A., Baker, G., Black, R., Camacho, O., Curtin, G., Djurdjevic, S., Hill, A., Mendez, D., Muhammad-Kah, R. S., Murillo, J. L., Niaura, R., Pithawalla, Y. B., Poland, B., Sulsky, S., Wei, L., & Weitkunat, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
23Issue
3Page(s)
426-437AbstractIntroduction: Various approaches have been used to estimate the population health impact of introducing a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP). Aims and Methods: We aimed to compare and contrast aspects of models considering effects on mortality that were known to experts attending a meeting on models in 2018. Results: Thirteen models are described, some focussing on e-cigarettes, others more general. Most models are cohort-based, comparing results with or without MRTP introduction. They typically start with a population with known smoking habits and then use transition probabilities either to update smoking habits in the "null scenario"or joint smoking and MRTP habits in an "alternative scenario". The models vary in the tobacco groups and transition probabilities considered. Based on aspects of the tobacco history developed, the models compare mortality risks, and sometimes life-years lost and health costs, between scenarios. Estimating effects on population health depends on frequency of use of the MRTP and smoking, and the extent to which the products expose users to harmful constituents. Strengths and weaknesses of the approaches are summarized. Conclusions: Despite methodological differences, most modellers have assumed the increase in risk of mortality from MRTP use, relative to that from cigarette smoking, to be very low and have concluded that MRTP introduction is likely to have a beneficial impact. Further model development, supplemented by preliminary results from well-designed epidemiological studies, should enable more precise prediction of the anticipated effects of MRTP introduction. Implications: There is a need to estimate the population health impact of introducing modified risk nicotine-containing products for smokers unwilling or unable to quit. This paper reviews a variety of modeling methodologies proposed to do this, and discusses the implications of the different approaches. It should assist modelers in refining and improving their models, and help toward providing authorities with more reliable estimates.Exposure to Nicotine and Toxicants among Dual Users of Tobacco Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, 2013-2014
AbstractSmith, D. M., Christensen, C., Van Bemmel, D., Borek, N., Ambrose, B., Erives, G., Niaura, R., Edwards, K. C., Stanton, C. A., Blount, B. C., Wang, L., Feng, J., Jarrett, J. M., Ward, C. D., Hatsukami, D., Hecht, S. S., Kimmel, H. L., Travers, M., Hyland, A., & Goniewicz, M. L. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
23Issue
5Page(s)
790-797AbstractIntroduction: Concurrent use of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes ("dual use") is common among tobacco users. Little is known about differences in demographics and toxicant exposure among subsets of dual users. Aims and Methods: We analyzed data from adult dual users (current every/some day users of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes, n = 792) included in the PATH Study Wave 1 (2013-2014) and provided urine samples. Samples were analyzed for biomarkers of exposure to nicotine and selected toxicants (tobacco-specific nitrosamine NNK [NNAL], lead, cadmium, naphthalene [2-naphthol], pyrene [1-hydroxypyrene], acrylonitrile [CYMA], acrolein [CEMA], and acrylamide [AAMA]). Subsets of dual users were compared on demographic, behavioral, and biomarker measures to exclusive cigarette smokers (n = 2411) and exclusive e-cigarette users (n = 247). Results: Most dual users were predominant cigarette smokers (70%), followed by daily dual users (13%), non-daily concurrent dual users (10%), and predominant vapers (7%). Dual users who smoked daily showed significantly higher biomarker concentrations compared with those who did not smoke daily. Patterns of e-cigarette use had little effect on toxicant exposure. Dual users with high toxicant exposure were generally older, female, and smoked more cigarettes per day. Dual users who had low levels of biomarkers of exposure were generally younger, male, and smoked non-daily. Conclusions: In 2013-2014, most dual users smoked cigarettes daily and used e-cigarettes occasionally. Cigarette smoking appears to be the primary driver of toxicant exposure among dual users, with little-To-no effect of e-cigarette use on biomarker levels. Results reinforce the need for dual users to stop smoking tobacco cigarettes to reduce toxicant exposure. Implications: With considerable dual use of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes in the United States, it is important to understand differences in toxicant exposure among subsets of dual users, and how these differences align with user demographics. Findings suggest most dual users smoke daily and use e-cigarettes intermittently. Low exposure to toxicants was most common among younger users, males, and intermittent smokers; high exposure to toxicants was most common among older users, females, and heavier cigarette smokers. Results underscore the heterogeneity occurring within dual users, and the need to quit smoking cigarettes completely in order to reduce toxicant exposure.High rates of menthol cigarette use among pregnant smokers: Preliminary findings and call for future research
AbstractStroud, L. R., Vergara-Lopez, C., McCallum, M., Gaffey, A. E., Corey, A., & Niaura, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
22Issue
10Page(s)
1711-1717AbstractINTRODUCTION: Smoking during pregnancy remains widespread and is causally associated with infant morbidity and mortality. Despite links between menthol cigarette use and decreased smoking cessation, little is known regarding rates or characteristics of pregnant menthol cigarette smokers.METHODS: Participants were drawn from two low-income, racially/ethnically diverse cohorts of pregnant smokers recruited from 2006 to 2015 (N = 166, Mage = 25 ± 5). Demographics, menthol cigarette use, daily cigarette use, quit status, and consecutive weeks quit were assessed by prospective interviews. Nicotine dependence was assessed using the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence. Nicotine levels were assessed via saliva cotinine.RESULTS: High rates of menthol use were found in both cohorts (85% and 87%). Across both cohorts, menthol smokers were more likely to identify as racial/ethnic minorities, were less educated, and reported lower income than non-menthol smokers (ps < .03). Menthol smokers also reported fewer continuous weeks quit (8.4 vs. 14.5 weeks quit; p < .03) and a tendency toward decreased likelihood of quitting smoking over pregnancy (29% vs. 48%; p < .08) in unadjusted but not in covariate-adjusted analyses. No differences emerged in cigarettes per day, nicotine dependence or nicotine exposure.CONCLUSIONS: We found very high rates of menthol cigarette use in pregnant smokers-particularly among racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status smokers-and some evidence for associations with reduced smoking cessation in pregnancy. Consideration of pregnant smokers as a uniquely vulnerable population is warranted in evaluating regulation of menthol in cigarettes. Further research is needed regarding the impact of menthol on smoking persistence in pregnancy and on maternal and infant health outcomes.IMPLICATIONS: This study highlights high rates of menthol cigarette use in pregnant women in the Northeast, United States, with evidence for higher rates of menthol use among racial/ethnic minority, less educated and low-income pregnant smokers, and preliminary evidence for associations between menthol cigarette use and reduced smoking cessation. Consideration of the effects of menthol on smoking persistence in pregnant women and on the health of their offspring is warranted in the development of regulations regarding menthol in cigarettes.Intensive Longitudinal Study of the Relationship between Cigalike E-cigarette Use and Cigarette Smoking among Adult Cigarette Smokers without Immediate Plans to Quit Smoking
AbstractPearson, J. L., Zhou, Y., Smiley, S. L., Rubin, L. F., Harvey, E., Koch, B., Niaura, R., & Abrams, D. B. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
23Issue
3Page(s)
527-534AbstractIntroduction: This study examined the association between the introduction of an e-cigarette and subsequent change in cigarette smoking among smokers who were not immediately interested in quitting. Aims and Methods: The Moment Study was a 21-day intensive longitudinal study with an online follow-up survey at 30 days. After observing baseline cigarette smoking for 1 week, participants received 10 cigalike e-cigarettes on study days 6 and 13. Participants reported cigarettes per day, e-cigarette puffs per day, and e-cigarette satisfaction using text-message-based surveys. Results: The sample of 96 daily smokers was majority female (53.1%), African American (67.7%), and non-Hispanic (95.8%). When e-cigarettes were provided (day 6), average cigarettes per day dropped by 1.82 cigarettes (p <. 0001). The within-person e-cigarette puff effect on daily cigarette smoking was significantly negative (β =-0.023; p =. 005); a participant who consumed 100 more e-cigarette puffs in a day than usual for that person was expected to smoke 2.3 fewer cigarettes that day, but this was only true for non-menthol smokers (p =. 006). Smokers older than 45 and those who started smoking at a younger age rated e-cigarettes as less satisfying (ps <. 05). Participants with greater than the median reported satisfaction were 6.5 times more likely to use an e-cigarette at follow-up. Conclusions: Giving e-cigarettes to smokers who did not intend to quit reduced their cigarette smoking on days when they used e-cigarette more frequently, but this relationship did not hold for menthol smokers. Satisfaction with e-cigarette use was predictive of continued use 30 days later. Implications: A greater amount of cigalike e-cigarette use resulted in less smoking among adult daily smokers without immediate plans to quit, but a lack of nicotine delivery and satisfaction for these devices may have limited their utility as a replacement for cigarette smoking, especially among menthol smokers. The global concept of "satisfaction"may be an important driver of e-cigarette use among adult smokers.Menthol and Mint Cigarettes and Cigars: Initiation and Progression in Youth, Young Adults and Adults in Waves 1–4 of the PATH Study, 2013–2017
AbstractVillanti, A. C., Johnson, A. L., Halenar, M. J., Sharma, E., Cummings, K. M., Stanton, C. A., Delnevo, C. D., Wackowski, O. A., Bansal-Travers, M., Pearson, J. L., Abrams, D. B., Niaura, R. S., Fong, G. T., Elton-Marshall, T., Hatsukami, D., Trinidad, D. R., Kaufman, A., Sawdey, M. D., Taylor, E. V., … Hyland, A. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
23Issue
8Page(s)
1318-1326AbstractIntroduction: This study examined in youth (12–17 years), young adults (18–24 years), and adults (25+ years): (1) the prevalence of the first menthol cigarette and menthol/mint cigar use among new tobacco users; (2) association between the first menthol/mint use, subsequent tobacco use, and nicotine dependence ~1 year later compared with the first non-menthol/mint use. Aims and Methods: Longitudinal analysis of data from Waves 1 to 4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study (2013–2017; 10 086 youth and 21 281 adults). Main outcome measures were past 12-month and past 30-day cigarette and cigar use, and nicotine dependence. Results: Youth and young adult new cigarette users are more likely to smoke a menthol cigarette or indicate that they do not know the flavor compared with adults aged 25+. A greater proportion of adults aged 25+ first used menthol/mint-flavored cigars (13.4%) compared with youth (8.5%) and young adults (7.4%). Among young adults, first use of a menthol cigarette is associated with past 12-month use of cigarettes at the subsequent wave and first use of any menthol/mint-flavored cigars is associated with past 30-day use of these products at the subsequent wave in both youth and young adults. In youth and adults, there were no significant relationships between first use of a menthol/mint cigarette or cigar and nicotine dependence scores at a subsequent wave in multivariable analyses. Conclusions: The first use of menthol/mint cigarettes and cigars is associated with subsequent cigarette and cigar use in young people aged 12–24. Implications: This study examined the relationship between initiation with menthol cigarettes and menthol/mint cigars, subsequent tobacco use, and nicotine dependence in US youth, young adults, and adults who participated in Waves 1–4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study. New use of menthol cigarettes was associated with greater past 12-month cigarette use in young adults and new use of menthol/mint-flavored cigars was associated with greater past 30-day cigar use in youth and young adults compared with non-menthol use. Initiation with menthol/mint cigarette and cigar products may lead to subsequent use of those products.Patterns of E-cigarette use and subsequent cigarette smoking cessation over 2 Years (2013/2014-2015/2016) in the population assessment of tobacco and health study
AbstractGlasser, A. M., Vojjala, M., Cantrell, J., Levy, D. T., Giovenco, D. P., Abrams, D., & Niaura, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Nicotine and Tobacco ResearchVolume
23Issue
4Page(s)
669-677AbstractIntroduction: Understanding the population impact of e-cigarettes requires determining their effect on cigarette smoking cessation. Methods: Using the US Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health cohort, we examined smoking cessation among adult current cigarette smokers at Wave 1 with follow-up data at Waves 2 and 3 (n = 9724). Results: By Wave 3 (2015/2016), 17.3% of smokers had quit smoking. Smokers using e-cigarettes daily or who increased to daily use over the three waves were two to four times more likely to have quit in the short term (<1 year) and long term (1+ years) compared with never e-cigarette users (p <. 001). E-cigarette use in the last quit attempt was associated with a higher likelihood of short-term (<1 year) quitting at Wave 3 (adjusted relative risk ratio: 1.33; 95% confidence interval: 1.04, 1.71) compared with smokers who did not use an e-cigarette in their last quit attempt. Noncurrent (no use in any wave) e-cigarette users and users who were unstable in use frequency were 33% and 47% less likely to quit in the short-term, respectively (p <. 001). Flavored (vs nonflavored) and using a rechargeable (vs disposable) e-cigarette device was associated with an increased likelihood of both short- and long-term quitting. Conclusion: Smoking cessation was more likely among frequent e-cigarette users, users of e-cigarettes in last quit attempt, and users of flavored and rechargeable devices. Less frequent, unstable, past, or never e-cigarette users were less likely to quit smoking. Monitoring the relationship between patterns of e-cigarette and cigarette use is complex but critical for gauging the potential of e-cigarettes as a harm reduction tool. Implications: This study suggests that consistent and frequent e-cigarette use over time is associated with cigarette smoking cessation among adults in the United States. In addition, findings suggest that flavored e-cigarette use and use of rechargeable e-cigarette devices can facilitate smoking cessation. These results underscore the importance of carefully defining and characterizing e-cigarette exposure patterns, potential confounders, and use of e-cigarettes to quit smoking, as well as variations in length of the smoking cessation.Predictors of attrition in a smoking cessation trial conducted in the lung cancer screening setting
Failed generating bibliography.AbstractPublication year
2021Journal title
Contemporary Clinical TrialsVolume
106AbstractSignificance: Although it is a requirement that tobacco treatment is offered to cigarette smokers undergoing low-dose computed tomographic lung cancer screening (LCS), not all smokers engage in treatment. To understand the barriers to tobacco treatment in this setting, we evaluated predictors of attrition in a smoking cessation trial among individuals undergoing LCS. Methods: Prior to LCS, 926 participants, 50–80 years old, completed the baseline (T0) phone assessment, including demographic, clinical, tobacco, and psychological characteristics. Following LCS and receipt of the results, participants completed the pre-randomization (T1) assessment. Results: At the T1 assessment, 735 (79%) participants were retained and 191 (21%) dropped out. In multivariable analyses, attrition was higher among those who: smoked >1 pack per day (OR = 1.44, CI 1.01, 2.06) or had undergone their first (vs. annual) LCS scan (OR = 1.70, CI 1.20, 2.42). Attrition was lower among those with: more education (associates (OR = 0.67, CI = 0.46, 0.98) or bachelor's degree (OR = 0.56, CI 0.35, 0.91) vs. high school/GED), some (vs. none/a little) worry about lung cancer (OR = 0.60, CI 0.39, 0.92), or a screening result that was benign (OR = 0.57, CI 0.39, 0.82) or probably benign (OR = 0.38, CI 0.16, 0.90) vs. negative. Conclusions: This study illuminated several LCS-related factors that contributed to trial attrition. Increasing tobacco treatment in this setting will require targeted strategies for those who report little lung cancer worry, are undergoing their first LCS exam, and/or who have a negative LCS result. Addressing attrition and reducing barriers to tobacco treatment will increase the likelihood of cessation, thereby reducing the risk of developing lung cancer.Smoking prevalence among hospitalized COVID-19 patients and its association with disease severity and mortality: an expanded re-analysis of a recent publication
AbstractFarsalinos, K., Bagos, P. G., Giannouchos, T., Niaura, R., Barbouni, A., & Poulas, K. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Harm Reduction JournalVolume
18Issue
1AbstractBackground: There is a lot of debate about the effects of smoking on COVID-19. A recent fixed-effects meta-analysis found smoking to be associated with disease severity among hospitalized patients, but other studies report an unusually low prevalence of smoking among hospitalized patients. The purpose of this study was to expand the analysis by calculating the prevalence odds ratio (POR) of smoking among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, while the association between smoking and disease severity and mortality was examined by random-effects meta-analyses considering the highly heterogeneous study populations. Methods: The same studies as examined in the previous meta-analysis were analyzed (N = 22, 20 studies from China and 2 from USA). The POR relative to the expected smoking prevalence was calculated using gender and age-adjusted population smoking rates. Random-effects meta-analyses were used for all other associations. Results: A total of 7162 patients were included, with 482 being smokers. The POR was 0.24 (95%CI 0.19–0.30). Unlike the original study, the association between smoking and disease severity was not statistically significant using random-effects meta-analysis (OR 1.40, 95%CI 0.98–1.98). In agreement with the original study, no statistically significant association was found between smoking and mortality (OR 1.86, 95%CI 0.88–3.94). Conclusion: An unusually low prevalence of smoking, approximately 1/4th the expected prevalence, was observed among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Any association between smoking and COVID-19 severity cannot be generalized but should refer to the seemingly low proportion of smokers who develop severe COVID-19 that requires hospitalization. Smokers should be advised to quit due to long-term health risks, but pharmaceutical nicotine or other nicotinic cholinergic agonists should be explored as potential therapeutic options, based on a recently presented hypothesis.Speculation vs. evidence in the association between e-cigarette use and COVID-19: A response to Soule et al
Farsalinos, K., & Niaura, R. (n.d.). In Preventive Medicine Reports (1–).Publication year
2021Volume
23Systematic review of the prevalence of current smoking among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in China: could nicotine be a therapeutic option? Reply
Farsalinos, K., Barbouni, A., & Niaura, R. (n.d.). In Internal and Emergency Medicine (1–).Publication year
2021Volume
16Issue
1Page(s)
235-236Tobacco cessation in low- to middle-income countries: A scoping review of randomized controlled trials
AbstractKumar, N., Janmohamed, K., Jiang, J., Ainooson, J., Billings, A., Chen, G. Q., Chumo, F., Cueto, L., Niaura, R., & Zhang, A. (n.d.).Publication year
2021Journal title
Addictive BehaviorsVolume
112AbstractOBJECTIVE: The growing prevalence of tobacco use in low "to middle" income countries (LMICs) and the hurdles of conducting tobacco cessation in that context necessitates a focus on the scope of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in LMICs to guide tobacco cessation in this environment. We conducted a scoping review to identify LMIC tobacco cessation RCTs.METHODS: Consistent with PRISMA-ScR guidelines and without language restrictions, we systematically searched peer-reviewed databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, articles published since inception, latest searches in March 2020) and gray literature (clinical trials registries, searches between September and December 2019). We searched for data on RCT type, outcome significance and intervention description. Inclusion: research conducted in LMICs; tobacco cessation; RCT. Exclusion: research conducted in high income countries; non-RCT; studies involving only those aged <18. Data was extracted from published reports. We generated narrative summaries of each LMIC's tobacco cessation RCT research environment.RESULTS: Of 8404 articles screened, we identified 92 studies. Tobacco cessation RCTs were recorded in 16 of 138 countries/territories in LMICs. Evidence was weak in quality and severely limited. Most RCTs were psychosocial, with limited behavioral and pharmacological variants.CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco control within LMICs is essential to reduce the tobacco mortality burden. Researchers should be cognizant that tobacco cessation in LMICs is still not an environment where best practice has been established. We suggest that developing solutions specific for LMICs is key to effective tobacco control in LMICs.