Electronic Cigarette Use and Attempts to Quit Smoking Cigarettes Among Adolescents in Taiwan

Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the relationship between electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and attempts to quit smoking cigarettes among adolescents in Taiwan. The study uses data from the Taiwan Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted annually from 2014 to 2016 and employs ecological systems theory to explore the relationship between attempts to quit smoking and personal characteristics, tobacco product use, family and peer smoking status, exposure to anti-tobacco information, and advice on quitting smoking.

Key Points:

* The study finds that the prevalence of current e-cigarette use among adolescent smokers in the 30 days prior to taking the survey increased from 9.82% in 2014 to 27.46% in 2016.
* The prevalence of attempts to quit smoking decreased slightly from 71.31% in 2014 to 70.59% in 2016.
* Current e-cigarette use was positively associated with attempts to quit cigarette smoking.
* Smokers who observed anti-tobacco media messages, attended antismoking classes, were influenced by warnings on cigarette packages, or received help to quit were more likely to have attempted to quit cigarettes.
* The study found that 71% of e-cigarette users tried to quit in the previous year and 69% of non-e-cigarette users tried to quit.
* The study also found a positive association between e-cigarette use and quit attempts among adolescent smokers.
* The study recommends that the government continue monitoring electronic cigarette use, combat smoking in the media, provide anti-smoking classes, and expand health warnings on cigarette packages.

Main Message:
The study highlights the increasing trend of e-cigarette use among adolescent smokers in Taiwan and its positive association with attempts to quit smoking. The study suggests that e-cigarettes may serve as a potential means of support for quitting smoking among adolescents. However, it also emphasizes the importance of continued monitoring, anti-smoking media campaigns, and providing anti-smoking classes and health warnings on cigarette packages to promote smoking cessation among adolescents. The study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to address tobacco use among adolescents and the importance of considering the potential benefits and risks of e-cigarette use in this population.

Chen, Pei-Ching, Li-Chuan Chang, Chieh Hsu, and Yue-Chune Lee. “Electronic Cigarette Use and Attempts to Quit Smoking Cigarettes Among Adolescents in Taiwan.” Journal of Adolescent Health 64, no. 1 (January 2019): 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.07.008.