Flavored Tobacco Product Use and Its Association With Indicators of Tobacco Dependence Among US Adults, 2014–2015

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study on the use of flavored tobacco products among US adults and its association with tobacco dependence. The study uses data from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS) collected in 2014-2015. The study aims to assess the proportion of flavored tobacco product users among current tobacco product users, and to measure associations between use of flavored tobacco products and tobacco dependence.

Key Points:

* The study finds that during 2014-2015, two of five current users of any tobacco product (16.9 million) reported usually using a flavored tobacco product.
* The proportion of flavored tobacco product users varied by demographic characteristics and by product types. Flavored product use was associated with daily tobacco product use among current e-cigarette users, cigar smokers, and cigarette smokers.
* Wide disparities in flavored tobacco product use were seen across states, with the highest proportion observed in District of Columbia (62.1%) and the lowest in Maine (22.5%).
* The study also found that flavored product use was highest for emerging tobacco products, such as hookahs and e-cigarettes.
* Among current cigar smokers, the proportion of flavored cigar smokers (28.3%) was lower than the estimate from a previous study (52.1%).
* The study found that flavored product use was significantly associated with daily tobacco product use among current e-cigarette users, cigar smokers, and cigarette smokers.
* The study also found that flavored product use was significantly associated with tobacco product use within 30 minutes after waking among current cigar smokers, and cigarette smokers.

Main Message:
The study suggests that flavored tobacco products are widely used by US adults, and their use might be associated with increased tobacco dependence. The implementation of evidence-based interventions, including restricting the sales of flavored tobacco products, in coordination with the regulation of tobacco products could help reduce tobacco product use among US adults. The study also highlights the need for continued surveillance to understand the patterns and changes in flavor use for all tobacco products in the US market.

Odani, Satomi, Brian Armour, and Israel T Agaku. “Flavored Tobacco Product Use and Its Association With Indicators of Tobacco Dependence Among US Adults, 2014–2015.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research 22, no. 6 (May 26, 2020): 1004–15. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntz092.