Exploring Smoking Stigma, Alternative Tobacco Product Use, and Quit Attempts

Objectives: We investigated smoking stigma among different tobacco user types. Methods: US adults (N = 1812) responded to an online survey, including non-smokers, smokeless tobacco users, exclusive smokers, and smokeless and cigarette “dual users.” Results: Dual users perceived the highest smoking stigma. Stigma was higher for smokers open to quitting by switching to smokeless tobacco. E-cigarette users (smokers) reported higher stigma than non-users. Making a past-year quit attempt was predicted by smoking stigma, and smokeless tobacco and/or e-cigarette use. Conclusions: Smoking stigma and dual use of smokeless tobacco and/or e-cigarettes with cigarettes predict quit attempts. However, smoking stigma may prevent smokers from consulting a physician and induce alternative tobacco product use to aid cessation.