Device characteristics of long term electronic cigarette users: a follow-up study.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a longitudinal cohort study examining the device usage patterns of electronic cigarette (e-cig) users and the relationship between device transitions and continued use. The study aims to describe the actions of e-cig users over time in regards to device type used, determine which device characteristics are associated with stopping e-cig use, and to describe the devices currently used by continued long term users.

Key Points:

* The study is a longitudinal cohort study of experienced e-cig users, with participants completing an online survey from 2012 to 2015 and a follow-up survey in 2017.
* The sample was comprised of 83.6% continuing users and 16.3% stoppers.
* Continuing users were likely to transition to devices with more advanced features, like variable voltage, and to reduce the nicotine concentration of their liquid.
* Baseline cigalike users were the most likely to stop using their e-cig and return to use of other tobacco products.
* The study highlights the importance of measuring device characteristics and the impact that device characteristics have on continued use of e-cigs.
* The findings could help inform FDa policy related to product standards.

Main Message:
The text emphasizes the significance of understanding the impact of e-cig use and device type on quitting smoking, as the majority of e-cig users continued e-cig use between baseline and follow-up over three years later. The study found that continued users were likely to transition to devices with more advanced features and reduce nicotine concentration, while baseline cigalike users were the most likely to stop using their e-cig and return to use of other tobacco products. These findings are helpful for understanding the impact of e-cig use and device type on quitting smoking and could help inform FDa policy related to product standards.

Yingst J, Foulds J, Veldheer S, Du P. Device characteristics of long term electronic cigarette users: a follow-up study. addictive Behaviors. 2019;91:238-243. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.001