Association Between Intention to Quit Cigarette Smoking and Use of Heated Tobacco Products: Application of Smoking Intensity Perspective on Heated Tobacco Product Users

Tobacco companies have designed sophisticated marketing strategies for heated tobacco products (HTPs), and many smokers are exposed to advertisements purporting that HTPs can replace combustible cigarettes. The present study evaluates the relationship between poly-use of tobacco products and intention to quit cigarette smoking in association with smoking intensity, a meaningful indication of one's interest in quitting cigarette smoking. A total of 36,397 current cigarette smokers who participated in the 2019 Korea Community Health Survey were evaluated. A multivariable logistic regression model was designed. Additionally, smoking-intensity-stratified analyses were conducted. A total of 4.7% of the participants reported planning to quit cigarette smoking within one month. Current dual users of combustible cigarettes and HTPs presented no significantly increased likelihood of intention to quit cigarette smoking regardless of cigarette-smoking intensity. By contrast, light and heavy daily smokers who accompanied e-cigarette use presented significant adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of 1.81 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-3.14) and 1.97 (95% CI: 1.14-3.42), respectively. Occasional and daily smokers who reported using both HTPs and e-cigarettes presented no significance. The results of the present study suggested that a complete replacement of combustible cigarettes with HTPs was unlikely.