March 5, 2021

Multi-Level Drivers of Tobacco Use and Purchasing Behaviors during COVID-19 “Lockdown”: A Qualitative Study in the United States

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Public Health Policy and Practice

Keywords (Tags): public health

• A qualitative study of tobacco use and purchasing behaviors in the US between April and May 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown found that most participants (n=44) increased use, which was predominantly driven by individual-level factors such as pandemic-related anxiety, boredom, and irregular routines. Individuals who reported decreased use cited social drivers, such as fewer interpersonal interactions and fear of sharing products as reasons for their change in use. Users of electronic nicotine delivery systems, also known as e-cigarettes or vapes, reported being driven to purchase products online due to decreased accessibility within the community.

Giovenco et al. (Mar 1, 2021). Multi-Level Drivers of Tobacco Use and Purchasing Behaviors during COVID-19 “Lockdown”: A Qualitative Study in the United States. The International Journal on Drug Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103175