Higgins ST, et al. – Study authors investigated the association of full–flavor cigarette use among women of reproductive age and nicotine dependence and smoking during pregnancy. In findings, an association was suggested, between the use of full–flavor cigarettes and greater nicotine–dependence risk and lower likelihood of quitting smoking during pregnancy, respectively, relationships with potential for serious adverse maternal–infant health impacts.

Methods

• Researchers used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005–2014).
• Consecutive years were combined to assure sufficient numbers of pregnant women.
• They assessed if use of full-flavor cigarettes was associated with greater odds of nicotine dependence using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS), controlling for other smoking characteristics.
• Thereafter, they compared prevalence of smoking and use of full-flavor versus lower-yield cigarettes among non-pregnant versus pregnant women and across trimesters.
• Lastly, they assessed whether pregnancy was associated with greater odds of using full-flavor cigarettes after controlling for potential confounders.

Results

• Findings demonstrated that use of full-flavor cigarettes was associated with greater adjusted odds of nicotine dependence compared to lower yields among non-pregnant (Fagerstrom: 2.50, 95% CI: 2.32,2.70; NDSS: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.62,1.88) and pregnant (Fagerstrom: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13,2.05; NDSS: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.12,2.10) smokers.
• Researchers observed that as smoking prevalence decreased among pregnant compared to non-pregnant women (14.31 ± 0.55% versus 22.73 ± 0.17%), prevalence of using full-flavor cigarettes increased (54.82 ± 1.63% versus 38.86 ± 0.35%).
• Similarly, data revealed that as smoking prevalence decreased from 1st to 3rd trimester (19.65 ± 1.2%, 12.50 ± 0.84%, 11.3 ± 0.83%), prevalence of using full-flavor cigarettes increased (53.12 ± 2.53%, 50.57 + 2.92%, 63.63 ± 3.19%).
• Overall, results indicated that pregnancy was associated with 1.43 (95% CI: 1.22, 1.68) greater adjusted odds of full-flavor cigarette use.