Comparing video observation to electronic topography device as a method for measuring cigarette puffing behavior.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Public Health
• Tobacco Control Research

Background:

• Smoking topography, or puffing behavior, is crucial for understanding tobacco product use.
• Collecting detailed smoking topography data electronically can present practical challenges.
• Alternative methods for data collection are needed to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cigarette topography measures obtained via video observation versus electronic devices.
• To assess the interchangeability of different smoking behavior metrics between the two methods.

Main Methods:

• Video recording of laboratory smoking sessions for 96 cigarettes from 34 adult smokers.
• Participants used an electronic topography device and provided carbon monoxide (CO) samples.
• Comparative analysis of measures including puff count, duration, interpuff interval, puff volume, and CO boost.

Main Results:

• High agreement between video and electronic methods for puff count and total interpuff interval (ICC > 0.96).
• Moderate agreement for total duration, with Bland-Altman plots outside clinical limits.
• Both puff count and duration predicted total puff volume, irrespective of assessment method.

Conclusions:

• Video observation provides a reliable substitute for electronic devices for puff count and interpuff interval.
• Total duration measures show less agreement between methods.
• Video observation is a practical alternative for assessing smoking topography when electronic devices are not feasible.