Use of flavor capsule cigarettes and their preliminary impact on smoking cessation in Mexico: an exploratory study

• Published in: Journal of health, population and nutrition population and nutrition, 2025-01, Vol.44 (1), p.22-5, Article 22
• Main Authors: Rodríguez-Bolaños, Rosibel, Ramírez-Palacios, Paula, Gallegos-Carrillo, Katia, Chávez-Iñiguez, Arlette, Lara, Daimarelys, Ossip, Deborah J, Cupertino, Ana Paula, Cartujano-Barrera, Francisco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Brief Report; Female; Flavor capsule cigarettes; Flavoring Agents; Humans; Information management; Male; Mexico - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Smoking; Smoking cessation; Smoking Cessation - methods; Smoking Cessation - statistics & numerical data; Smoking cessation programs; Tobacco Products; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2072-1315; 1606-0997; 2072-1315
• DOI: 10.1186/s41043-025-00752-2

No study has assessed the impact of flavor capsule cigarettes (FCCs) on smoking cessation. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study was to assess (1) the sociodemographic and smoking-related characteristics associated with using FCCs, and (2) the preliminary impact of FCCs on smoking cessation. This study is a secondary data analysis of a single-arm study with 100 individuals living in Mexico who smoked and received a smoking cessation mHealth intervention and pharmacotherapy support. The primary outcomes were self-reported and biochemically verified 7-day smoking abstinence at Month 3. Just over one-third of participants (36%) used FCCs, with a preference for one capsule and menthol/mint flavor. Compared to participants who smoked non-FCCs, participants who smoked FCCs were (1) younger, (2) more likely to be women, and (3) more likely to smoke less than 10 cigarettes per day (CPD; all p's