Electronic cigarette use among 14- to 17-year-olds in Europe.

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research article examining the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among 14-17 year-olds in seven European Union (EU) countries. The study uses data from the SILNE-R study, a school survey conducted in Namur (Belgium), Tampere (Finland), hanover (Germany), Dublin (Ireland), Latina (Italy), amersfoort (the Netherlands), and Coimbra (Portugal) in 2016-17. The study aims to provide an overview of e-cigarette use among 14-17 year-old students in these EU countries, including the prevalence of e-cigarette use and use of nicotine e-liquid, as well as the social correlates of e-cigarette use.

Key Points:

* The study used data from the SILNE-R study, a school survey conducted in seven EU countries in 2016-17.
* The study found that 34% of students had tried e-cigarettes, but the variation was large between the cities (Latina 50%; hanover 23%).
* Of e-cigarette ever-users, 37% had used nicotine e-liquid, 43% exclusively non-nicotine liquid, and 20% did not know the content.
* Nicotine e-liquid was more prevalent among monthly e-cigarette users and weekly smoking e-cigarette users.
* The social correlates were mainly the same for exclusive e-cigarette ever-use, exclusive conventional cigarette ever-use, and dual-use.
* Boys had greater odds for exclusive e-cigarette and dual-use compared to girls.
* Low academic achievement and parental smoking were positively associated with all categories of use, but parental education and immigrant background were not.

Main Message:
The study provides valuable insights into the use of e-cigarettes among 14-17 year-olds in seven EU countries. The findings suggest that e-cigarettes seem not to be a substitute for conventional cigarettes but more a complementary product. The study emphasizes the importance of tobacco control policies to prevent e-cigarette use and nicotine addiction. Specific regulations on e-cigarettes are needed to prevent nicotine addiction originating from e-cigarette use. The study highlights the need for further research to assess the effects of e-cigarette and health promotion policies and to better understand the social correlates of e-cigarette use.

Kinnunen JM, Rimpelä ah, Lindfors PL, et al. Electronic cigarette use among 14- to 17-year-olds in Europe. European journal of public health. 2021;31(2):402-408. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckaa145