Flavored Tobacco Use Among U.S. Adults by Age Group: 2013–2014

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the use patterns of various flavored tobacco products (FTP) among U.S. adults and examines the associations between FTP use and susceptibility to cigarette smoking among never-smoking cigarette young adults, and quit attempts in past 12 months among current cigarette smokers. The study used data from the 2013-2014 National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS).

Key points:

* More than half (53.3%) of current tobacco users among U.S. adults report current use of at least one FTP.
* Heterogeneity in FTP use across age groups was observed, with a higher percentage of dual- and poly-flavored product use among current tobacco users aged 18-29 than the other two age groups (aged 30-49 and SO+).
* Flavored tobacco use was associated with higher odds of susceptibility to cigarette smoking as compared with not using any tobacco products among never smokers aged 18-29.
* Flavored tobacco use was not significantly associated with reporting a quit attempt among young adults aged 18-29 and adults 30-49. Among adults aged SO+, dual-and poly-FTP users reported 1.7 times higher odds of quit attempt as compared with non-FTP users.
* The study identified patterns of FTP use across age groups and provides evidence about the heterogeneity of flavored tobacco use by age group.
* The findings suggest that flavored tobacco use might play different roles in quitting smoking among different age groups and underline the complexity of the relationship between characterizing flavors and quit behaviors.
* Further studies are needed to evaluate whether the effects of FTP use on smoking behaviors are causal among adults in different age groups.

Main message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding the patterns of FTP use among adults and provides evidence about the heterogeneity of flavored tobacco use by age group. The findings suggest that flavored tobacco use might play different roles in quitting smoking among different age groups and underline the complexity of the relationship between characterizing flavors and quit behaviors. The study adds to the literature by identifying patterns of FTP use across age groups and provides evidence for future regulatory actions with respect to tobacco products with flavors. The study also raises concerns when the use of FTP was associated with susceptibility to cigarette smoking among never-smoking young adults but was not associated with quit attempts among adults except those aged 50+.

Dai, Hongying, and Jianqiang Hao. “Flavored Tobacco Use Among U.S. Adults by Age Group: 2013–2014.” Substance Use & Misuse 54, no. 2 (January 28, 2019): 315–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2018.1521428.