E-Cigarette Quit Attempts and Experiences in a Convenience Sample of Adult Users.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the experiences and characteristics of adult e-cigarette users who have attempted to quit using e-cigarettes. The study offers valuable insights for developing effective interventions for e-cigarette cessation.

Key Points:

* The study utilized a convenience sample of adult e-cigarette users from Amazon Mechanical Turk.
* The majority of participants reported current e-cigarette use on some days or every day, and most were dual users of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes.
* The most common reasons for wanting to quit using e-cigarettes were health concerns and cost.
* Most participants reported quitting "cold turkey," while others used nicotine replacement therapy or tapered down on nicotine content.
* Participants experienced side effects or withdrawal symptoms during quit attempts, such as headaches and intense cravings.
* Participants indicated that medical professionals, family members, or friends were trusted sources for advice on quitting.
* Participants suggested that distractions, hobbies, or alternative activities; reducing or tapering down on nicotine; medications or nicotine replacement therapy; and peer resources were helpful for quitting.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of developing interventions for e-cigarette cessation that consider users' baseline tobacco use status and minimize harm from conventional cigarette smoking. It also emphasizes the need for interventions that address withdrawal symptoms and consider incorporating gold standard smoking cessation treatments such as nicotine replacement therapy. Medical settings, family or friend support, and clear definitions of quitting with specific criteria are also essential considerations for future research and intervention development.

Bluestein MA, Bejarano G, Tackett AP, et al. E-Cigarette Quit Attempts and Experiences in a Convenience Sample of Adult Users. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2023;20(3). doi:10.3390/ijerph20032332