Summary
Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the correlation between youth vaping flavor preferences and the choice of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) as an initial tobacco product. The study is based on a national online survey of youth aged 13 –18 in 2017 and focuses on the flavor preferences of those who have ever tried ENDS. The key points and main message of the text are summarized below.
Key Points:
* The study finds that fruit is the most common favorite flavor among ENDS users, followed by menthol/mint/wintergreen.
* Preference for flavor varies by age, sex, and racial/ethnic background.
* ENDS are the tobacco products most likely to be tried first, particularly among participants under age 17.
* Those who prefer fruit flavor are twice as likely to have tried ENDS first, while those who prefer menthol/mint/wintergreen flavor are half as likely to have tried ENDS first.
* The study supports previous findings that flavor is one of the primary reasons for experimentation with ENDS among youth.
* The research highlights the importance of fruit flavor in use of ENDS as the first tobacco product and its variation by age, sex, and racial/ethnic background.
* The authors recommend tighter restrictions on the marketing and sale of all e-cigarette flavors other than tobacco.
Main Message:
The main message of the text is that flavor preferences play a significant role in youth vaping and the choice of ENDS as an initial tobacco product. The study supports previous findings that flavor is a primary reason for experimentation with ENDS among youth, and fruit flavor is strongly associated with use of ENDS as the first tobacco product. The authors recommend tighter restrictions on the marketing and sale of all e-cigarette flavors other than tobacco, going beyond the January 2020 federal regulations, to address the issue of youth vaping.
Citation
Groom AL, Vu THT, Kesh A, et al. Correlates of youth vaping flavor preferences. Preventive medicine reports. 2020;18:101094. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101094
