Smoke constituent exposure and stage of change in black and white women cigarette smokers

Differences in smoke constituent exposure by ethnicity and menthol preferen ce and differences in decisional balance and habit strength by stage of cha nge, ethnicity, and menthol preference were examined in this 2-factor study design. Ninety-five women, half of whom were Black and half of who smoked menthol cigarettes, participated in a cigarette smoking bout in the Clinica l Research Center. Measures of smoking topography, plasma cotinine and nico tine, and expired carbon monoxide were obtained in addition to self-report of the pros and cons of smoking, time to first cigarette, and smoking histo ry. Black women smoked significantly fewer cigarettes per day, but had high er cotinine levels compared to White women. Menthol smokers (n = 49) had si gnificantly larger puff volumes, higher cotinine levels, and shorter time t o first cigarette compared to nonmenthol smokers (n = 46). Pre-contemplator s (n = 44) were significantly lower on beliefs about the negative aspects o f smoking compared to contemplators and those in preparation stage. Black w omen, all stages combined, had higher negative beliefs about smoking than d id White women. Implications for assessment of smoking patterns and interve ntion are discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.