Coupons offered by cigarette companies are especially effective at reaching young smokers, the New York Times reported March 7.

Researchers from the Center for Behavioral Research in Cancer, based in Australia, examined data from the 2002 California Tobacco Survey and tobacco-industry documents. They concluded that young adults, women, African-Americans, heavy smokers, and menthol smokers were the most likely to redeem tobacco coupons. 

The industry is especially interested in reaching young smokers because they are seen as potentially being long-term customers, researchers noted. Companies can use the coupons to offset state-mandated tobacco taxes or subsidize smoking for low-income buyers, the study said.

The study appears in the March 2006 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.