Measuring E-cigarette dependence: Initial guidance

Introduction:
This text provides an overview of the domains to consider when assessing e-cigarette dependence, as understanding this is important for public health and developing prevention and intervention strategies. The text outlines the process of selecting the final domains, which included a review of published manuscripts and tobacco dependence measures, as well as feedback from external subject-matter experts.

Key Points:

* E-cigarette use rates are increasing, despite limited knowledge about the safety and risks of this product.
* The text presents the final domains to consider when assessing e-cigarette dependence: Quantity and frequency of use, Tolerance, Perceived benefits, Withdrawal symptoms, Craving/urge to use, Use despite harm, Impaired control, Automaticity, Preferred over competing rewards, and Sensory dependence.
* Similarities and differences in potential features of e-cigarette dependence compared with dependence on other tobacco products are discussed.
* Future work will evaluate these dependence items and constructs in a sample of e-cigarette users with the goal of developing a valid, brief, standardized measure of e-cigarette dependence.
* The study engaged in a literature search to identify existing nicotine and tobacco dependence measures and selected specific measures to identify potential dependence constructs.
* Potential constructs were sent to an external expert panel for review and feedback, resulting in the final list of constructs and sample items.
* Two constructs were reclassified and one was replaced based on expert feedback.

Main Message:
In summary, the text highlights the importance of understanding and assessing e-cigarette dependence, as e-cigarette use rates continue to increase. The authors provide guidance on 10 domains to consider when assessing e-cigarette dependence and discuss similarities and differences with dependence on other tobacco products. The study's process of engaging experts and reviewing existing measures demonstrates the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to developing a measure of e-cigarette dependence. The ultimate goal is to develop a valid, brief, standardized measure of e-cigarette dependence to inform public health and regulatory efforts.

Bold, Krysten W., Steve Sussman, Stephanie S. O’Malley, Rachel Grana, Jonathan Foulds, Howard Fishbein, and Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin. “Measuring E-Cigarette Dependence: Initial Guidance.” Addictive Behaviors 79 (April 2018): 213–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.11.015.