The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Compare demographics, cancer screening and risk reduction behaviors between cigar smokers and cigarette smokers.

Methods: Maryland Cancer Survey 2004 was a population-based, random digit dial, computerized assisted telephone interview of 5,004 persons 40 years and older, examining cancer screening rates and risk behaviors. Subjects were asked whether they are current cigar smokers. We assessed the association between cigar smoking and risk reduction behaviors and possible confounders, such as demographic characteristics, by bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding variables.

Results: Overall, 152 (3.4%) smoked cigars but not cigarettes. Compared to current cigarette smokers, cigar smokers were significantly more likely (p<0.01) to be white men, married, have higher education, higher income, be obese or over weight, consume more vegetables and fruits, drink more alcohol, have higher rates of screening for oral cancer, prostate cancer (men), and screening by colonoscopy for colon cancer, and more likely (p<0.03) to undergo fewer routine check ups. Multivariate logistic regression showed whites (OR= 3.7, p<0.01), men (OR=44.7, p<0.01), those with yearly income of $75,000 or more (OR=3.2, p<0.01), those who drink more alcohol (OR=4.6, p<0.01), have higher oral cancer screening rates (OR=2.1, p<0.01), and higher prostate cancer screening rates (men) (OR= 2.2, p<0.02) were more likely to be cigar smokers than to be cigarette smokers.

Conclusion: Cigar smokers are mostly higher income, educated, white males who have better risk reduction behaviors, and higher cancer screening rates than cigarette smokers.