Summary
Introduction:
This summary will provide an overview of a study examining e-cigarette use in Canada, where nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are prohibited. The study describes prevalence and patterns of use among both non-smokers and smokers in a regulated market.
Key Points:
* The study is based on an online cross-sectional survey conducted in Canada in October 2013, with 1095 participants.
* The sample included younger non-smokers, younger smokers, and older smokers.
* Awareness of e-cigarettes was high across all groups, and ever use of e-cigarettes was reported by 10% of younger non-smokers, 42% of younger smokers, and 27% of older smokers.
* Current use of e-cigarettes was reported by 0.3% of younger non-smokers, 18% of younger smokers, and 10% of older smokers.
* Among those who had ever tried an e-cigarette, approximately 10% of younger non-smokers, 46% of younger smokers, and 43% of older smokers reported trying an e-cigarette that contained nicotine.
* The most popular e-cigarette flavors were fruit and menthol, and the most common reason for using e-cigarettes was to help quit smoking.
* The study suggests that despite prohibitions on the sale of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, Canadians may be using a mix of "legal" non-nicotine e-cigarettes and "illegal" nicotine-containing e-cigarettes.
Main Message:
The study highlights the increasing prevalence of e-cigarette trial among Canadians, with a considerable proportion of non-smokers reporting ever use of e-cigarettes. However, current use is almost entirely concentrated among smokers. The study also underscores the need for further research to monitor e-cigarette use by Canadians and the potential implications of a mixed market of "legal" and "illegal" e-cigarettes.
Citation
Shiplo, Samantha, Christine D Czoli, and David Hammond. “E-Cigarette Use in Canada: Prevalence and Patterns of Use in a Regulated Market.” BMJ Open 5, no. 8 (August 2015): e007971. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007971.
