September 27, 2011 - A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health measures brand usage trends and the prevalence of cigar use among specific populations. The study found that the top five cigar brands among adults aged 19-25 were Black & Mild, Swisher Sweets, Phillies, White Owl, and Garcia y Vega, all of which are primarily cigarillos or little cigar products. Use of these top five brands was more prevalent among younger, Black non-Hispanic males. Cigars and cigarillos have become an emerging issue in tobacco control in recent years, in part because they appeal to young people through lower prices and sweet flavors. Increased use of these products is of particular concern, as users may believe that cigarillos and little cigars are less harmful than cigarettes. Little cigars pose similar health risks to cigarettes, including cancers of the mouth, lung, esophagus, and larynx. Unlike cigarettes, little cigars are currently unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are taxed at a much lower rate. They continue to come in a variety of flavors that appeal to youth, and packaging on these products does not always carry a warning label.

For more information, please visit http://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-study-shows-significant-rise-in-cigar-use-among-young-adults-2011-09-19