E‐cigarette product preferences among Australian young adult e‐cigarette users

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a study examining e-cigarette product preferences among Australian young adults. The study aimed to determine whether concerns regarding the appeal of nicotine and flavoured e-liquids are founded. The study's findings have implications for public health and regulatory policies regarding e-cigarette use.

Key Points:

* The study surveyed 1,116 young adults, of whom 104 were current e-cigarette users.
* The average age of e-cigarette users was 22.12 years, and 57% were male.
* Almost two-thirds of e-cigarette users preferred to use e-cigarettes containing nicotine.
* Among those who preferred e-cigarettes with nicotine, the most popular nicotine strengths were 6mg/ml and 12mg/ml.
* The majority of current users preferred flavoured over unflavoured e-cigarettes.
* Fruit flavours (e.g. apple, strawberry) were most popular, followed by candy (e.g. bubblegum, chocolate) and dessert (e.g. apple pie, vanilla) flavours.
* More than half of never smokers preferred nicotine-containing e-cigarettes relative to non-nicotine equivalents.
* The study recommends better enforcement of existing restrictions on the supply of liquid nicotine in Australia and on its importation from overseas for personal use.

Main Message:
The study highlights the need for stricter regulations on e-cigarette use and sales, particularly in relation to nicotine and flavoured e-liquids. The findings suggest that substantial proportions of young adult e-cigarette users, including never smokers, exhibit a preference for e-cigarettes that contain nicotine and flavourings. This is of concern as e-cigarette use has the potential to result in subsequent tobacco cigarette initiation among young adults. Therefore, efforts should be made to regulate e-cigarette product preferences, including flavourings, and to better enforce existing restrictions on the supply of liquid nicotine in Australia. The results also support the recommendation of a recent parliamentary inquiry for the establishment of a regulatory process that assesses and restricts the colourings and flavourings used in e-liquids.

Jongenelis, Michelle I., Caitlin Kameron, Emily Brennan, Daniel Rudaizky, Terry Slevin, and Simone Pettigrew. “E‐cigarette Product Preferences among Australian Young Adult E‐cigarette Users.” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 42, no. 6 (December 2018): 572–74. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12842.