Use of flavored electronic cigarette refill liquids among adults and youth in the US—Results from Wave 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (2014–2015)

Introduction:
This article summarizes a research study examining the use of flavored electronic cigarette refill liquids among adults and youth in the US using data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (Wave 2). The study aims to assess the prevalence of self-reported flavor categories used individually and in combination among past 30-day e-cigarette users.

Key Points:

* The study found that most youth and adult participants reported using a flavored e-cigarette, with fruit flavor being the most common among youth and menthol/mint being the most common among adults.
* The most common flavor categories reported together among both youth and adult past 30-day e-cigarette users were fruit and candy/other sweets.
* The study also found that the wide variety of flavors available and the freedom to mix-and-match flavors may maintain e-cigarette use among youth and adults.
* The study identifies predominant flavor categories among past 30-day youth and adult e-cigarette users.
* The study sample includes nationally-representative samples of adults and youth from the PATH Study Wave 2.
* The study analyzed participants who reported using any form of e-cigarettes on at least one day in the past 30 days and provided flavor data.
* The study assessed the prevalence of top flavor combinations and flavors used alone among youth and adult past 30-day e-cigarette users.

Main Message:
The study highlights the popularity of flavored e-cigarettes among both youth and adults in the US. The wide variety of flavors available and the freedom to mix-and-match flavors may contribute to maintaining e-cigarette use among youth and adults. The study suggests that future research should focus on the composition of e-cigarette liquid/vapor to disentangle the contributions of sweeteners and flavorants. The study's findings have implications for tobacco regulation, particularly in light of the Deeming rule, which extended FDA's regulatory authority to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. The study emphasizes the need for prudent regulation of e-cigarette flavors, especially those that may be potentially harmful to health.

Schneller, Liane M., Maansi Bansal-Travers, Maciej L. Goniewicz, Scott McIntosh, Deborah Ossip, and Richard J. O’Connor. “Use of Flavored Electronic Cigarette Refill Liquids among Adults and Youth in the US—Results from Wave 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (2014–2015).” Edited by Hiroaki Matsunami. PLOS ONE 13, no. 8 (August 23, 2018): e0202744. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202744.