Use of electronic nicotine delivery systems and other tobacco products among USA adults, 2014: results from a national survey

Introduction:
This article summarizes the results of a study on the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and other tobacco products among USA adults in 2014. The study aimed to assess the awareness and use of traditional and novel tobacco products and dual use of cigarettes with ENDS. The study also examined demographic predictors of use and provided information to inform public health and regulatory decisions about the rapidly evolving ENDS products.

Key Points:

* The study estimated that 14.9% of USA adults have ever used ENDS and 4.9% were current users.
* Use of ENDS was substantially higher among current cigarette smokers compared to former and never smokers.
* Ever and current use of ENDS is highest among young adults, particularly 25-34 year olds; those with some college education; those with less than a high school educational attainment; those with only fair or poor perceived health; and those with a non-heterosexual orientation.
* Adjusting for other tobacco use, current smokers had nearly 18 times greater odds of ever use of ENDS and nearly 23 times the odds of current use of ENDS than did never smokers.
* Of those who were current ENDS users, 68.0 % were current cigarette smokers, 19.7 % were recent former smokers, 2.3 % were non-recent former smokers, and 10.0 % were never cigarette smokers.
* Among current ENDS users, 21.0 % were current users of any alternative combustible tobacco product and 75.1 % were current users of any combustible tobacco product.
* The study highlights the importance of continued surveillance and study of the patterns of trial and use of ENDS, especially among vulnerable populations, to inform public health and regulatory decisions about the rapidly evolving ENDS products.

Main Message:
The study emphasizes the need for continued surveillance and study of the patterns of trial and use of ENDS, as the use of these products is evolving rapidly and varies significantly by demographic factors. The study also highlights the importance of considering the potential impact of these products on population health, especially among vulnerable populations, as the growing prevalence of ENDS use could contribute to increased population harm. The study provides timely population-level data that may help inform FDA policy development and the evaluation of product standards for novel nicotine products appropriate for the protection of public health.

Weaver, Scott R., Ban A. Majeed, Terry F. Pechacek, Amy L. Nyman, Kyle R. Gregory, and Michael P. Eriksen. “Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Other Tobacco Products among USA Adults, 2014: Results from a National Survey.” International Journal of Public Health 61, no. 2 (March 2016): 177–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0761-0.