Tobacco use status after one year depending on the type of tobacco

<bold>Background:</bold> Heated tobacco products (HTPs) have been promoted as a safer alternative to cigarettes, and some smokers are reported to use HTPs to quit smoking in Japan. <bold>Aims:</bold> We investigated whether there were any differences in tobacco use status 1 year later depending on the type of tobacco used. <bold>Methods:</bold> We longitudinally investigated tobacco users who could be followed for at least one consecutive year in five waves (2020 - 2023) using an internet-based self-report questionnaire. Tobacco use was classified into three categories: exclusive cigarette use, dual use, and exclusive HTP use. Tobacco use status after 1 year of follow-up was assessed by the baseline tobacco use status. Adjusted prevenance ratios (APRs) for tobacco use after 1 year were estimated by generalized estimating equation. <bold>Results:</bold> At baseline, 53.6%, 24.7% and 21.7% of the respondents were exclusive cigarette user, dual user and exclusive HTP user, respectively. One year later, 10.8% of exclusive cigarette user, 14.4% of dual user and 12.3% of exclusive HTP user quit all tobacco products. The prevalence of using any tobacco after 1 year was not significantly different for both dual use (APR = 0.99, p = 0.132) and exclusive HTP use (APR = 0.99, p = 0.54) compared to exclusive cigarette use. Those who intended to quit tobacco (APR = 0.97, p < 0.001) and those with poor subjective health status (APR = 0.93, p = 0.002) were significantly less likely to use tobacco after 1 year. Those with mental illness (APR = 1.03, p = 0.013) and chronic pain (APR = 1.03, p < 0.001) were significantly more likely to use tobacco after 1 year. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> The incidences of quitting tobaccos one year later were similar regardless of baseline tobacco use status.