Background: In New Zealand, the prevalence of roll-your-own cigarette (RYO) smoking is at 48%, being one of the highest rates in the developed world. The aim is to establish if quitting outcomes were different for Quitline clients who smoked RYO compared to tailor-made cigarettes (TM).

Method: A cohort of approximately 2,000 Quitline callers was followed for twelve months. Among them, 52% smoked TM, 39% smoked RYO, and the remaining smoked both. Callers' characteristics and quit rates were compared between RYO and TM smokers.

Results: Data were weighted by ethnicity (Mâori or non-Mâori) and gender according to the eligible population of the study. Unadjusted rate ratios suggested that callers who are Mâori, male, have low income, and/or under 40 are more likely to smoke RYO. Unadjusted rate ratios also suggest that the 7-day point prevalence quit rate at 6- and 12- months are similar for RYO and TM smokers overall. However for Mâori callers, RYO smokers had a significantly lower quit rate at 12-month than TM smokers. The adjusted rate ratios were unavailable at the time of writing this abstract, but will be presented at the conference.

Conclusions: The results available to date suggest that Mâori callers quit rates are lower for those who smoke RYO.

Implications: Both population-based survey and the current study suggested the prevalence of RYO use is higher for Mâori than non-Mâori. To reduce Mâori smoking rates, RYO need to be made a less affordable tobacco option. Extra cessation support may also be required for RYO smokers particularly Mâori.