Vaping for weight control: a cross-sectional population study in England.

Introduction:
This article explores the relationship between vaping and weight control in a large representative sample of adults in England. The study aims to address the prevalence of weight control compared with other motives for smoking and e-cigarette use, the use of e-cigarettes in food-related situations, the frequency and motivations for using e-cigarettes as a snack or meal replacement, beliefs towards using e-cigarettes to prevent weight gain, and attitudes towards quitting and using e-cigarettes among smokers not using e-cigarettes. The study also examines the association between weight-related motives, usage patterns, beliefs, and attitudes with sex, age, ethnicity, social grade, past-year quit attempt, and smoking status.

Key points:

* The study found that one in 16 English people who have smoked in the last year believe that vaping would prevent weight gain after stopping.
* One in 22 people who vape are using e-cigarettes for this purpose.
* Should evidence emerge that e-cigarettes prevent weight gain, one in eight people who smoke would be tempted to quit smoking and use e-cigarettes.
* Vaping for weight control was rare among current e-cigarette users, with only 4.6% endorsing it as a motive.
* The most commonly reported motives for vaping were that it helps avoid cigarettes, followed by enjoyment, to relieve stress or anxiety, and to improve health.
* The prevalence of vaping to replace a meal or snack was also rare among current e-cigarette users, at 1.9%.
* Of those who vaped to replace a meal or snack, the majority reported doing so daily or at least once a week, and the most important factors were keeping hands busy, feeling in the mouth, and hand to mouth action.
* Belief that vaping can help keep weight down was low among past-year smokers, with only 6.4% agreeing, and women were less likely than men to have heard or believe that vaping can help keep weight down.

Main message:
The study suggests that there is a potential link between vaping and weight control, with one in 22 people who vape using e-cigarettes for this purpose. however, beliefs towards using e-cigarettes to prevent weight gain are low among past-year smokers, and women are less likely than men to have heard or believe in this potential link. Should evidence emerge that e-cigarettes prevent weight gain, one in eight people who smoke would be tempted to quit smoking and use e-cigarettes. The study highlights the need for further research to establish the extent to which these behaviors differ by sociodemographic and smoker characteristics and to validate the results. additionally, the study emphasizes the need for cautious communication of these findings to avoid encouraging uptake among groups unlikely to use e-cigarettes, such as adolescents with high body image concerns.

Jackson SE, Brown J, aveyard P, et al. Vaping for weight control: a cross-sectional population study in England. addictive Behaviors. 2019;95:211-219. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.04.007