a longitudinal analysis of e-cigarette use and cigar, little cigar or cigarillo initiation among youth and youth adults: 2017-2019.

Introduction:
This text summarizes a longitudinal study examining the relationship between e-cigarette use and the initiation of cigars, little cigars, or cigarillos (CLCCs) among youth and young adults. The study also explores the association between e-cigarette use and current use of flavored CLCCs. The findings have implications for tobacco control policies and the regulation of e-cigarettes and CLCCs.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the Truth Longitudinal Cohort, a national, probability-based longitudinal cohort established in 2014.
* The analytic sample includes respondents aged 15-24 who had never used CLCCs by January-april 2017 and participated in three subsequent waves of data collection.
* The outcomes measured are CLCC initiation and current flavored CLCC use.
* E-cigarette use by 2018 was associated with greater odds of CLCC initiation and current flavored CLCC use.
* Other combustible tobacco use, such as cigarette and hookah use, was also associated with CLCC initiation.
* Marijuana use by 2018 was significantly associated with CLCC initiation.
* Demographic factors, such as race/ethnicity and gender, were also significant predictors of CLCC initiation.
* The study did not specify the flavors of e-cigarettes used, and did not include a separate measure of blunt use in the analysis of CLCC initiation or current flavored CLCC use.

Main Message:
The study highlights the need for greater federal oversight of tobacco products, including CLCCs and e-cigarettes, with particular attention to restricting flavors in these products. The transition from e-cigarettes to CLCCs found in this study is consistent with previous research demonstrating progression to combustible tobacco use among young people who initiate with e-cigarettes. While some claim that there may be some potential health benefits for adult smokers who switch completely to e-cigarettes, the high prevalence rates of e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults significantly increase the risk of nicotine addiction and the transition to more deadly combustible products for a new generation of americans. These potential benefits should not compromise efforts by policy makers to effectively regulate these tobacco products at the federal, state and local levels.

hair EC, Kreslake JM, Mowery P, Pitzer L, Schillo B, Vallone DM. a longitudinal analysis of e-cigarette use and cigar, little cigar or cigarillo initiation among youth and youth adults: 2017-2019. Drug and alcohol dependence. 2021;226:108821. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108821