Summary
Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the relationship between e-cigarette design preference and smoking cessation in a U.S. population. The study surveyed a probability sample of current e-cigarette users and ever smokers, using photos of e-cigarette devices to facilitate respondents' understanding of the questions.
Key Points:
* E-cigarette users can be grouped into two models: closed systems (disposable or reloadable with prefilled cartridges) and open systems (refillable with e-liquid).
* Most e-cigarette users were exclusive users of one design: 51.4% used only closed systems and 41.1% used only open systems.
* Former smokers were more likely to use open systems than current smokers (53.8% vs 35.2%, p=0.002).
* Open system users were more likely than closed system users to use e-cigarettes daily (50.2% vs 22.9%, p < 0.0001).
* Open system users were less likely to report their devices resembled (3.1 % vs 73.0%, p < 0.0001) or tasted like (29.1 % vs 53.3%, p < 0.0001) a cigarette.
* Open system users were more likely than closed system users to report that their devices satisfied cravings (82.8% vs 67.2%, p=0.001).
Main Message:
The study found that preference of e-cigarette design is associated with smoking cessation. Open system devices, which allow for higher levels of nicotine and flexibility in use, may contribute to users' success in quitting smoking. As the FDA plans to regulate e-cigarettes, it is important to consider how design preferences may impact smoking cessation efforts.
Citation
Chen, Caroline, Yue-Lin Zhuang, and Shu-Hong Zhu. “E-Cigarette Design Preference and Smoking Cessation.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 51, no. 3 (September 2016): 356–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.02.002.
