Flavoured non-cigarette tobacco product use among US adults: 2013–2014

Introduction:
This text presents a study on the use of flavored non-cigarette tobacco products (NCTPs) among US adults. The study aims to estimate past 30-day NCTP use, flavoured NCTP use, and flavour types using bivariate analyses. The findings highlight the prominent use of flavored NCTPs among US adult tobacco users and the association between flavored product use and younger adults.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the 2013-2014 National Adult Tobacco Survey, a landline and cellular telephone survey of US adults aged 2:18.
* The study examines past 30-day use of NCTPs, including e-cigarettes, hookah, cigars, smokeless tobacco, pipes, and dissolvable tobacco products.
* Flavoured product use was highest among 18-24-year olds for all NCTPs except hookah and pipes.
* By cigarette smoking status, never smoking e-cigarette users were more likely to report flavoured e-cigarette use, followed by recent former smokers, long-term former smokers, and current smokers.
* The most prevalent flavours reported were menthol/mint (76.9%) for smokeless tobacco, fruit (74.0%) for hookah, fruit (52.4%), candy/chocolate/other sweet flavours (22.0%), and alcohol (14.5%) for cigars/cigarillos/filtered little cigars.
* Flavoured product use, especially fruit and sweet-flavoured products, was higher among younger adults.
* The study emphasizes the importance of tobacco prevention and control strategies addressing all forms of tobacco use, including flavoured tobacco products.

Main Message:
The study underscores the prevalent use of flavored NCTPs among US adult tobacco users, particularly among e-cigarette, hookah, and cigar users. The findings highlight the need for regulatory measures targeting flavored tobacco products, especially considering their appeal to younger adults. As an expert in regulatory matters, these insights emphasize the urgency of implementing and enforcing regulations to protect public health and reduce tobacco use among various age groups.

Bonhomme, Michèle G, Enver Holder-Hayes, Bridget K Ambrose, Cindy Tworek, Shari P Feirman, Brian A King, and Benjamin J Apelberg. “Flavoured Non-Cigarette Tobacco Product Use among US Adults: 2013–2014.” Tobacco Control 25, no. Suppl 2 (November 2016): ii4–13. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2016-053373.