INTRODUCTION The global market for capsule cigarettes has grown rapidly, especially in Latin America. This research examined the sales trends and patterns as well as packaging characteristics of capsule cigarette in Mexico in recent years. METHODS National data on cigarette sales in Mexico between October 2018 and September 2021 licensed from NielsenIQ were supplemented with cigarette pack pictures and Internet searches to determine whether characterizing flavor, concept flavor, and action descriptors were used. Market share in sales value and volume was calculated by capsule and flavor status, descriptors, price tier, manufacturer, pack size, and cigarette length for the whole time period and for each month. Number of unique brand variants was also examined. RESULTS Capsule cigarette sales totaled US$4.29 billion or 30.99 billion sticks during the assessed period, comprising 37.7% of the cigarette market share in sales value or 35.5% in sales volume. Over half of capsule cigarettes sold during this time period had concept flavor descriptors, 17.8% contained characterizing flavor descriptors, and 15.1% contained action descriptors that were suggestive of the interactive aspects of capsules. The monthly market share of capsule cigarette sales volume among all cigarette sales in Mexico increased steadily from 33.3% in October 2018 to 37.3% in September 2021. CONCLUSIONS The expanding capsule cigarette market in Mexico is concerning, given the product's associated misconceptions of reduced harm and greater appeal among youth. Findings underline the need for enhanced regulations to address the public health threat posed by capsule cigarettes. IMPLICATIONS Capsule cigarettes have a substantial market share in Mexico, with increasing popularity. Descriptors and other product characteristics such as cigarette length might be used to increase the appeal and target particular populations. Policy makers should consider banning capsules and flavors in cigarettes including descriptors or other indication in product presentation that could be perceived as denoting a taste, aroma, or sensation, and making the appearance and design of tobacco products more commensurate with the harm they cause by adopting plain and standardized packaging.

中文翻译：

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包装描述符在快速增长的胶囊卷烟市场中的使用：来自墨西哥的证据。

简介 全球胶囊卷烟市场增长迅速，尤其是在拉丁美洲。本研究考察了近年来墨西哥胶囊卷烟的销售趋势和模式以及包装特征。方法 使用 NielsenIQ 许可的 2018 年 10 月至 2021 年 9 月墨西哥卷烟销售全国数据，辅以卷烟包装图片和互联网搜索，以确定是否使用了特征风味、概念风味和动作描述符。销售价值和销量的市场份额是根据整个时间段和每个月的胶囊和口味状态、描述符、价格等级、制造商、包装尺寸和卷烟长度来计算的。还检查了许多独特的品牌变体。结果 评估期内胶囊卷烟销售额总计 42.9 亿美元或 309.9 亿支，占卷烟市场销售额的 37.7% 或销量的 35.5%。在此期间销售的胶囊香烟中，超过一半具有概念风味描述符，17.8% 包含特征风味描述符，15.1% 包含暗示胶囊交互方面的动作描述符。胶囊卷烟销量在墨西哥所有卷烟销量中的月度市场份额从 2018 年 10 月的 33.3% 稳步增长到 2021 年 9 月的 37.3%。 结论 墨西哥不断扩大的胶囊卷烟市场令人担忧，因为该产品与减少危害和减少危害等相关的误解有关。在年轻人中具有更大的吸引力。调查结果强调需要加强监管，以解决胶囊卷烟造成的公共健康威胁。影响 胶囊卷烟在墨西哥占有很大的市场份额，并且越来越受欢迎。描述符和其他产品特征（例如香烟长度）可用于增加吸引力并针对特定人群。政策制定者应考虑禁止在卷烟中使用胶囊和香料，包括产品介绍中可能被视为表示味道、香气或感觉的描述符或其他指示，并使烟草产品的外观和设计与其采用所造成的危害更加相称。简单且标准化的包装。