Perceptions, rituals, usage and potential prompts to quit amongst South West HRT (hand rolled tobacco) smokers?

Authors:
Kate Knight, Fiona Andrews and Jane Webb

Presenter:
Fiona Andrews
Director, Smokefree South West, Bristol, UK

Abstract
The rising real cost of manufactured cigarettes and increased availability of illicit product has fuelled increased usage of hand rolled tobacco. However new qualitative research commissioned by Smokefree South West has identified that users cite other benefits of using hand rolled tobacco: better taste / less unpleasant smell / more natural / greater control over their smoking. These benefits lead many users to believe that use is less dangerous than manufactured cigarettes. So compelling are these perceived benefits that some users claim they would continue to smoke this form of tobacco even if manufactured cigarettes were reduced to the same price as their rolling tobacco. Insights into the ritual or ‘art’ of rolling your own, the role of accessories and perceptions of different brands were also explored. This research suggests that new interventions targeting hand rolling tobacco use will be needed to prompt users to stop smoking

Source of funding: Smokefree South West

Declaration of interest: none

About the presenter:
Fiona Andrews is Director of Smokefree South West, a new regional organisation which launched in April 2009 to tackle tobacco-related death and disease and drive change across the South West. In this role she leads collective action to reduce smoking prevalence and is responsible for supporting effective regional implementation of the national tobacco control strategy and associated legislation. Prior to her current role Fiona had several years’ experience as the region’s Regional Tobacco Policy Manager and supported implementation of smokefree legislation to protect workers and the public from secondhand smoke.