Summary
Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study examining the relationship between e-cigarette flavors, nicotine concentration, and their interaction on measures of nicotine dependence in adolescent and young adult e-cigarette users. The study also explores the effects of flavors and nicotine concentration on frequency of e-cigarette use and intentions to quit vaping. The study aims to provide evidence for the development of regulations related to e-cigarette use.
Key Points:
* The study used a cross-sectional convenience sample of past 30-day e-cigarette users aged 15 to 24 years.
* Participants were asked to provide information about the e-cigarette products they used most regularly, including flavors, nicotine concentration, and nicotine dependence.
* The main predictors of the study were most-used e-cigarette flavor in the past 30 days, nicotine concentration, and an interaction term for the 12 unique combinations of e-cigarette flavors and nicotine concentrations.
* The main outcome of the study is a proxy indicator for nicotine dependence, derived from an item of the E-Cigarette Test for Nicotine Dependence (Etter & Eissenberg, 2015).
* The study categorized time to first vape after waking into a binary variable indicating vaping within 30 minutes vs. more than 30 minutes after waking.
* The study found that mint flavor users had the lowest prevalence of vaping within 30 minutes after waking at 42.1%, while fruit, menthol, and tobacco flavor users had a similar prevalence of vaping within 30 minutes after waking.
* The study found that a nicotine concentration of 5% or more was associated with a 1.8 times higher prevalence of vaping within 30 minutes after waking.
* The study found that the relationship between flavors and vaping within 30 minutes after waking varied by nicotine concentration.
* The study found that nicotine concentration was positively associated with frequency of e-cigarette use and negatively associated with intentions to quit vaping.
Main Message:
The study highlights the need for comprehensive e-cigarette product regulation, including all flavors and reducing nicotine concentration, to reduce the risk for nicotine dependence among young people. The study also emphasizes the importance of considering multiple product characteristics, ingredients, and outcomes simultaneously when developing regulations related to e-cigarette use. The study provides evidence for the association between e-cigarette liquid flavors, nicotine concentration, and nicotine dependence, and the need for further research in this area.
Citation
Do EK, O’Connor K, Kreslake JM, Friedrichsen SC, Vallone DM, Hair EC. Influence of Flavors and Nicotine Concentration on Nicotine Dependence in Adolescent and Young Adult E-Cigarette Users. Substance use & misuse. 2022;57(4):632-639. doi:10.1080/10826084.2022.2034876
