Concomitant use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco: Prevalence, correlates, and predictors of tobacco cessation

Background. This study examined the characteristics, tobacco use patterns over time, and predictors of tobacco cessation among concomitant users of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Methods. Participants were employed adults residing in the southeastern United States who participated in the Working Well cancer prevention trial. Participants were assessed at baseline and followed-up 4 years later. Results and Conclusions. The study yielded several key findings: (a) the prevalence of concomitant smoking and smokeless tobacco use was high among males and nonexistent among females, (b) the characteristics of concomitant users were relatively distinct from those of both smokers and smokeless tobacco users, (c) concomitant users exhibited substantial variability in their tobacco use patterns and were less likely to stop using tobacco than were smokers or smokeless tobacco users, (d) indicators of nicotine dependence predicted tobacco cessation for both smokers and smokeless tobacco users, but were largely unrelated to tobacco cessation among concomitant users, and (e) demographics, environmental variables, and measures derived from the transtheoretical model were not consistent predictors of tobacco cessation after controlling for nicotine dependence. (C) 2002 American Health Foundation and Elsevier Science (USA).