Curiosity, use, and perceptions of “tobacco-free nicotine” E-cigarettes among U.S. young adults.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the perceptions and use of tobacco-free nicotine (TFN) e-cigarettes among U.S. young adults. The study aimed to determine whether young adults' perceptions of how TFN compared to tobacco-derived nicotine (TDN) were associated with curiosity to try or use TFN e-cigarettes.

Key Points:

* The study surveyed U.S. young adults aged 18-25 and categorized them into three groups: not curious to try TFN, curious to try TFN, and ever used TFN.
* Participants were asked about their perceptions of how flavor, taste, ease of access, cost, and harm compared between TFN and TDN.
* The results showed that young adults who were curious to try or had used TFN had more positive perceptions of TFN, such as perceiving it as less addictive and having better flavors.
* The study also found that reduced perceptions of harm were associated with TFN curiosity and use.
* The sample included individuals who correctly answered a knowledge question about the definition of TFN, but it is possible that the knowledge question influenced participants' responses to the TFN awareness question.
* The study's limitations include the use of a convenience sample, the purposeful oversampling of young adults with e-cigarette and other tobacco product use experience, and the assessment of comparative perceptions between TFN and TDN, while the term "tobacco-free" is not used on product packaging.

Main Message:
The study suggests that young adults' perceptions of TFN e-cigarettes, including reduced heart health and addiction risk, are associated with curiosity to try TFN and perceptions of differences in flavors and taste between TFN and TDN. As synthetic nicotine products remain in the marketplace, it is important to understand how young adults' perceptions of TFN influence its uptake and the potential for long-term nicotine and tobacco use. Future research should examine the impacts of synthetic nicotine sales and marketing regulations on perceptions of TFN e-cigarette flavors, taste, and addiction, as well as their impact on TFN use among young adults.

Camenga DR, Krishnan-Sarin S, Davis DR, Bold KW, Kong G, Morean ME. Curiosity, use, and perceptions of “tobacco-free nicotine” E-cigarettes among U.S. young adults. Preventive medicine. 2022;164:107296. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107296