The survey focused on tobacco use and related factors, with a particular focus on IQOS. The survey was translated into Hebrew and Arabic by a professional translation company (Academic Language Experts), back-translated into English, and then examined by 2 bilingual reviewers to verify comparability across translations. Survey content was parallel across countries/languages, except for specific sociodemographics (i.e., origin, religiosity). Israel-based participants could choose to take the survey in Hebrew or Arabic. The survey took ~25 min to complete.
At the outset of the survey, participants were provided images of each tobacco product category and were instructed, “This survey asks about various types of products. We want to ensure that 3 product categories are clear: (1) Ordinary cigarettes are filled with tobacco, lit with a match or lighter, and burned to produce ashes. They can be factory-made or roll-your-own. (2) Vaping products (sometimes called e-cigarettes) heat a liquid only. Vaping products do not contain actual tobacco. The liquid often contains nicotine and is often flavored. (3) HTPs heat actual tobacco to create an emission that is inhaled. HTPs always contain actual tobacco in the form of sticks or capsules, or loose tobacco. Some HTPs may also have liquid, but also contain actual tobacco.”
HTP and other tobacco/nicotine product use. Participants were asked, “In your lifetime, have you ever used: (1) traditional, ordinary cigarettes—including roll-your-own cigarettes/tobacco? (2) e-cigarettes, vaping products or other electronic nicotine delivery devices (excluding IQOS or similar products)? and (3) HTPs, such as IQOS?” (yes vs. no). Among those reporting lifetime use, current use was assessed by asking, “In the past 30 days, how many days have you used [traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, HTPs]?” (no = 0; yes ≥ 1). We similarly assessed hookah/waterpipe/nargila, cigar, pipe, and smokeless tobacco use (reported separately and as use of any of the (4)). Variables were created to indicate current (past 30-day) and former (ever but not past 30-day) use of each product to characterize patterns in bivariate analyses; variables indicating current (vs. no current) use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products were used for multivariable analyses.
Interest in trying IQOS. Participants were asked: “How likely would you be to try IQOS?” (1 = not at all; 2 = a little; 3 = neutral/unsure; 4 = somewhat; 5 = very).
Sociodemographics. Sociodemographic factors included: age; gender; sexual orientation (heterosexual, other); race/ethnicity (in the US: White, Black, Asian, Hispanic; in Israel: Jewish, Arab); nativity; educational attainment (
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