Trends in E-Cigarette, Cigarette, Cigar, and Smokeless Tobacco Use Among US Adolescent Cohorts, 2014-2018.

Introduction:
This text summarizes a study on trends in e-cigarette, cigarette, cigar, and smokeless tobacco use among US adolescent cohorts from 2014 to 2018. The study aims to examine changes in age of initiation of these tobacco products among adolescents in the US. The key points and main message of the study are summarized below.

Key Points:

* The study used data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) from 2014 to 2018, focusing on youths aged 16 and 17.
* The study found that the age of initiation of e-cigarette use was younger among more recent cohorts, with 28.6% of lifetime e-cigarette users initiating use at 14 years or younger in 2018.
* There were no significant cohort differences in age of initiation of cigarette, cigar, or smokeless tobacco use.
* The study notes that early initiation of e-cigarette use is associated with a subsequent risk for cigarette use.
* The study relied on self-reported data and omitted some tobacco products, such as hookah products.
* The study highlights the need for ongoing surveillance of these initiation trends and the importance of tobacco prevention programs addressing e-cigarette use.

Main Message:
The main message of the study is that US adolescents are initiating e-cigarette use at younger ages, which is a significant public health concern. Early initiation of e-cigarette use is associated with a subsequent risk for cigarette use, and nicotine exposure earlier in development may confer particular risk. Public policies restricting access to e-cigarettes and e-liquids and denormalizing their use should be paramount priorities. The study emphasizes the need for tailored risk communications and policy efforts to deter initiation among youths of younger ages. Overall, the study highlights the importance of addressing the issue of e-cigarette use among US adolescents to protect their health and prevent nicotine addiction.

Evans-Polce R, Veliz P, Boyd CJ, McCabe VV, McCabe SE. Trends in E-Cigarette, Cigarette, Cigar, and Smokeless Tobacco Use Among US Adolescent Cohorts, 2014-2018. American journal of public health. 2020;110(2):163-165. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2019.305421