Reasons for Electronic Cigarette Use Among Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2016

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a study examining reasons for electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among middle and high school students in the United States based on data from the 2016 National Youth Tobacco Survey. The study analyzed self-reported reasons for e-cigarette use and presents the most and least commonly selected reasons for use. The study aims to provide insights into the factors influencing e-cigarette use among youths.

Key Points:

* E-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students in 2016.
* Among students who reported ever using e-cigarettes in 2016, the most commonly selected reasons for use were:
+ Use by "friend or family member" (39.0%)
+ Availability of "flavors such as mint, candy, fruit, or chocolate" (31.0%)
+ The belief that "they are less harmful than other forms of tobacco such as cigarettes" (17.1%)
* The least common reasons for e-cigarette use were:
+ "They are easier to get than other tobacco products, such as cigarettes" (4.8%)
+ "They cost less than other tobacco products such as cigarettes" (3.2%)
+ "Famous people on TV or in movies use them" (1.5%)
* Availability of flavors as a reason for use was more commonly selected by high school users (32.3%) than by middle school users (26.8%).
* The study is based on a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of students in grades 6-12 in the United States.
* The survey response rate was 71.6%, and the study analyzed data from 20,675 students who completed the NYTS.

Main Message:
The study emphasizes the importance of efforts to prevent middle and high school students from initiating the use of any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. Regulation of the manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products by the Food and Drug Administration, along with sustained implementation of comprehensive tobacco control and prevention strategies, can reduce e-cigarette use and initiation by middle and high school students. Continued monitoring of e-cigarette use, including reasons for use and product characteristics, is essential to guide strategies to prevent and reduce use among youths.

Tsai, James, Kimp Walton, Blair N. Coleman, Saida R. Sharapova, Sarah E. Johnson, Sara M. Kennedy, and Ralph S. Caraballo. “Reasons for Electronic Cigarette Use Among Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2016.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 67, no. 6 (February 16, 2018): 196–200. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6706a5.