Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the use of flavored e-cigarettes among youth, young adults, and older adults. The study aims to investigate how the use of flavored e-cigarettes varies between these age groups and by combustible tobacco product use, sex, and race/ethnicity. The findings of this study have important implications for tobacco control policies and the regulation of e-cigarettes.
Key Points:
* The study used data from three separate studies to represent e-cigarette use profiles across three age groups: youth (12-17 years old), young adults (18-29 years old), and adults (30 + years old).
* The study found that most e-cigarette users, regardless of age, reported that their first and "usual" e-cigarettes were flavored to taste like something other than tobacco.
* The use of tobacco flavor at initiation was more common among dual users (e-cigarettes + combustible tobacco) than exclusive e-cigarette users.
* There were no significant differences in the use of flavored e-cigarettes at initiation or "usually" by sex or racial/ethnic group for any age group.
* Among current e-cigarette users, fruit flavors predominated, and tobacco flavor was the least commonly reported as a usual flavor among all groups.
* The study found that the salience of flavors as a reason to use e-cigarettes was higher among ever users who had never used a combustible tobacco product.
* The study suggests that restricting the range of e-cigarette flavors, particularly sweet flavors, may benefit youth and young adult prevention efforts, but it is unclear what impact this change would have on adult smoking cessation.
Main Message:
The findings of this study highlight the importance of considering the role of e-cigarette flavors in tobacco control policies. The study suggests that restricting the range of e-cigarette flavors, particularly sweet flavors, may benefit youth and young adult prevention efforts. However, it is essential to balance these potential benefits with the potential impact on adult smoking cessation. Further research is needed to determine the most effective regulatory approaches to address the use of flavored e-cigarettes.
Citation
Harrell, M.B., S.R. Weaver, A. Loukas, M. Creamer, C.N. Marti, C.D. Jackson, J.W. Heath, et al. “Flavored E-Cigarette Use: Characterizing Youth, Young Adult, and Adult Users.” Preventive Medicine Reports 5 (March 2017): 33–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.11.001.
