The Susceptibility of Smokers to Switch from Smoking Tobacco Products to Heated Tobacco Products Based on the Theory of Harm Reduction

Abstract

Background:

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) were promoted as an alternative and less harmful method of nicotine delivery. Harm reduction of tobacco refers to moving to a less toxic nicotine product for those who are unable to avoid using nicotine or smoking. Therefore, our study purpose is to assess the susceptibility of smokers to switch from smoking cigarettes to heated tobacco products based on the theory of harm reduction. The future goal is to inform prevention and treatment programs of tobacco use about the new emerging products – HTPs.

Methods:

This cross-sectional descriptive study collected a sample of 558 adult cigarette smokers. A self-administered questionnaire was used to examine several variables, including descriptive, smoking behavior, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and harm reduction questionnaire. Using Rao software, and we estimated that we will collect approximately 377 with a margin of error 5% and 95% confidence level. Data analysis using SPSS was used to answer the research question.

Results:

A total of 558 smokers completed the questionnaire. The overall percentage of the smokers that are willing to quit smoking, but continue to use nicotine, by switching to HTPs for the sample was 41.6%. Based on the harm reduction theory the percentage of the participants that would consider switching to a new product with reduced health risk by 50% or 99% were 74.2% and 83.1%, respectively.

Conclusions:

HTP prevalence and the susceptibility of smokers to switch from smoking tobacco products to HTPs based on the theory of harm reduction among adult Saudi smokers were identified. Although future studies are required to address the same research problem in a different Arab country to assess the prevalence of HTPs among Arab countries.