Impact of Flavour Variability on Electronic Cigarette Use Experience: an Internet Survey

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study examining the impact of flavor variability on electronic cigarette (EC) use experience among dedicated users. The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public health, surveyed 4,618 participants, the vast majority of whom were former smokers. The survey aimed to understand the importance of flavorings in the EC experience of dedicated users.

Key Points:

* The study found that on average, participants were using three different types of liquid flavors on a regular basis.
* Former smokers switched between flavors more frequently compared to current smokers.
* Fruit flavors were more popular at the time of participation, while tobacco flavors were more popular at initiation of EC use.
* Participants reported that variability of flavors was "very important" in their effort to reduce or quit smoking.
* The majority of participants stated that restricting variability of flavors would make the EC experience less enjoyable and increase craving for tobacco cigarettes.
* Restricting variability of flavors would also make reducing or completely substituting smoking less likely.
* The number of flavors used was independently associated with smoking cessation.

Main Message:
The results of this survey indicate that flavors are marketed in order to satisfy vapers’ demand and appear to contribute to both perceived pleasure and the effort to reduce cigarette consumption or quit smoking. Implementing regulatory restrictions to flavors could cause harm to current vapers while no public health benefits would be observed in youngsters. Therefore, flavors variability should be maintained, and any potential future risk for youngsters being attracted to ECs can be sufficiently minimized by strictly prohibiting EC sales in this population group.

Farsalinos, Konstantinos, Giorgio Romagna, Dimitris Tsiapras, Stamatis Kyrzopoulos, alketa Spyrou, and Vassilis Voudris. “Impact of Flavour Variability on Electronic Cigarette Use Experience: an Internet Survey.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public health 10, no. 12 (December 17, 2013): 7272–82. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10127272.