Prevalence and characteristics of e-cigarette users in Great Britain: Findings from a general population survey of smokers

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a study examining the prevalence and characteristics of e-cigarette users in Great Britain. The study is based on data from a cross-sectional online survey of a national sample of smokers in Great Britain. The study aims to observe and assess natural patterns in the use of e-cigarettes while experimental data accumulates. The study also aims to characterize the socio-demographic and smoking profile associated with current use of e-cigarettes among the general population of smokers and recent ex-smokers.

Key Points:

* The study found that there is near universal awareness of e-cigarettes among current and recent ex-smokers in Great Britain.
* Approximately a fifth of both current and recent ex-smokers were currently using e-cigarettes, while just over a third had ever used them.
* The majority of smokers believed e-cigarettes to be less harmful than cigarettes; however, almost a quarter remained unsure.
* Among current smokers who were aware of but had never used e-cigarettes, approximately half were interested in using them in the future.
* Among both current and recent ex-smokers, the most popular reasons for using an e-cigarette were health, cutting down, and quitting.
* Current e-cigarette users were more likely than non-users to have higher socio-economic status, smoke more cigarettes, and attempted to quit in the past year.
* The study also found that the popular brand of e-cigarette among smokers in Great Britain is 'E-lites' which delivers a relatively low dose of nicotine.

Main Message:
The main message of this study is that e-cigarettes are increasingly popular among smokers in Great Britain, with a significant proportion of smokers currently using them and a majority of smokers believing them to be less harmful than cigarettes. However, it is important to note that a significant proportion of smokers are unsure about the relative harm of e-cigarettes compared to traditional cigarettes. The study also highlights the need for more high-quality efficacy studies and research on the longer-term health impact of e-cigarette use. Additionally, the study suggests that e-cigarettes may have a major public health impact, and communications concerning relative risks and the benefits of e-cigarettes over traditional smoking may need to be specifically targeted at more deprived groups in society if e-cigarettes prove effective in aiding smoking cessation.

Brown, Jamie, Robert West, Emma Beard, Susan Michie, Lion Shahab, and Ann McNeill. “Prevalence and Characteristics of E-Cigarette Users in Great Britain: Findings from a General Population Survey of Smokers.” Addictive Behaviors 39, no. 6 (June 2014): 1120–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.03.009.