Summary
Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the changes in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among U.S. adults from 2019 to 2020, focusing on the differences in these changes across cigarette smoking status, sociodemographic groups, and subjective depression frequency. The study aims to understand the factors contributing to the decline in e-cigarette use and the potential implications for tobacco regulatory policies and public health strategies.
Key Points:
1. The study uses pooled data from the 2019 and 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), with a sample size of 63,565.
2. The study found an 18% decline in current e-cigarette use prevalence among U.S. adults, with significant interactions between year and cigarette smoking status, race/ethnicity, poverty ratio, and subjective depression frequency.
3. Current e-cigarette use prevalence decreased among current cigarette smokers, Non-Hispanic White and Black adults, and those living under the federal poverty level.
4. Daily e-cigarette use did not change significantly in the overall sample but declined among Non-Hispanic Black adults, current smokers, and those aged 35-44 and living under the poverty ratio.
5. The decline in e-cigarette use may be attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in e-cigarette products and tobacco regulatory policies, and the EVALI outbreak.
6. The study also found that e-cigarette use was higher among those with more frequent depression symptoms, and the changes in e-cigarette use were not significant between 2019 and 2020 by subjective depression frequency.
7. Future studies are needed to investigate how these factors jointly contribute to the changes in adult e-cigarette use and whether the effects are different across vulnerable subpopulations.
Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of cross-population differences in adult e-cigarette use and the need for evidence-based strategies to reduce e-cigarette use among young adults. The findings also emphasize the significance of considering mental health conditions in tobacco control policies and clinical interventions for e-cigarette use. Furthermore, the study suggests that the decline in e-cigarette use among certain subpopulations may have implications for smoking-related health disparities and warrants further investigation.
Citation
Dai HD, Leventhal A. Changes in electronic cigarette use among U.S. Adults by cigarette smoking status, socciodemographics, and subjective depression, 2019-2020. Preventive medicine reports. 2022;30:102048. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.102048
