Temporal Trends in E-Cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2016 to 2018.

Introduction:
This text presents a study on the temporal trends of e-cigarette use among U.S. adults from 2016 to 2018. The study aims to understand the demographics of those who are using e-cigarettes and therefore susceptible to long-term health effects. The study used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, a nationwide, telephone-based questionnaire survey of a random sample of U.S. adult residents on health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and the use of preventive services.

Key Points:

* The study found that the prevalence of current e-cigarette use increased from 4.3% in 2016 to 4.8% in 2018.
* The prevalence of current e-cigarette use significantly increased among middle-aged adults, women, and former smokers.
* Current e-cigarette prevalence remained stable among never cigarette smokers and decreased among current smokers.
* Current e-cigarette prevalence increased numerically among users of smokeless tobacco and those with heavy alcohol use, though these trends were not significant.
* The study found that there was a higher trend of current e-cigarette use among 18-34 year olds, although this was not statistically significant.
* The study also found that there was a significantly lower prevalence of current e-cigarette use among current cigarette smokers, suggesting that dual use of these products decreases over time.

Main Message:
The study's findings suggest that the use of e-cigarettes is increasing among specific populations, including middle-aged adults, women, and former smokers. These trends may have important public health implications and ramifications for educational strategies aimed at informing various population segments about the potential health effects and risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes. It is important for regulatory agencies to monitor the continued change in use patterns of e-cigarettes and cigarettes and to develop effective interventions aimed at educating e-cigarette users about the potential health effects of these products, promoting the cessation of their use.

Al Rifai M, Merchant AT, Nambi V, et al. Temporal Trends in E-Cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2016 to 2018. The American journal of medicine. 2020;133(9):e508-e511. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.12.020