Summary
Introduction:
This text reports the findings of a study examining the relationship between e-cigarette flavor restrictions and e-cigarette use and success in quitting smoking among US adults. The study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate about the availability of flavored e-cigarettes and its impact on public health.
Key Points:
* The study surveyed 857 US adults who reported using e-cigarettes when trying to quit smoking.
* Participants were asked about the e-cigarette flavors they used during their quit attempt, the impact of flavor bans on their access to preferred flavors, and their response to the restrictions.
* The results showed that 30.2% of the participants experienced restricted access to e-cigarette flavors they like, with 64.9% using tobacco or menthol flavors during their quit attempt and 90.7% using another flavor that could have been restricted.
* Most participants found alternative ways to obtain restricted flavors, such as switching devices or buying elsewhere.
* In multivariable models, experiencing e-cigarette flavor bans, e-cigarette flavors used or preferred when quitting, or switching e-cigarette flavors in response to the bans were not significantly associated with success quitting smoking for one month or longer.
Main Message:
The study found that while e-cigarette flavor restrictions altered adults' e-cigarette use behavior, these restrictions were not associated with success in using e-cigarettes to quit smoking. The findings suggest that if studies indicate the availability of certain e-cigarette flavors does not affect smoking cessation outcomes, this may strengthen the rationale for restricting flavors that are especially appealing to youth. The study's results may inform future research to advance e-cigarette policy.
Citation
Bold KW, Krishnan-Sarin S, O’Malley S, Morean ME. Examining associations of e-cigarette flavour restrictions with e-cigarette use and success quitting smoking among US adults. Tobacco control. 2022;31:s184-s186. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2022-057458
