Use and reasons for use of electronic vapour products shaped like USB flash drives among a national sample of adults.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the use and reasons for use of electronic vapor products (EVPs) shaped like universal serial bus (USB) flash drives among adults in the USa. The study aims to inform strategies to maximize the potential benefits of EVPs for adult cessation and minimize the risks of youth initiation. The study's key points highlight the patterns of use, demographics of users, and reasons for using these EVPs.

Key Points:

* The study is based on data from SummerStyles, an internet survey of US adults aged ≥18, fielded in June to July 2018.
* Respondents were shown product images and asked about ever use, current (past 30 days) use, and reasons for use.
* In 2018, 7.9% of participants had ever used flash drive-shaped EVPs, including 25.7% of current cigarette smokers and 45.9% of current EVP users.
* 2.0% reported current use, including 6.8% of cigarette smokers and 34.3% of EVP users.
* Leading reasons for ever use were 'to deliver nicotine' (30.7%) and 'friend or family member used them' (30.2%).
* Use was higher among participants aged 18-44, non-hispanic other races, and current or former smokers.
* The ratio of current use to ever use was higher for younger adults, suggesting greater transition from experimentation to recent use.
* among ever users, nicotine delivery and trying to quit other tobacco products were primary reasons for use.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding the use of emerging EVP types, such as flash drive-shaped EVPs, to inform public health policy and practice. While few adults use these products, nearly half of current EVP users have tried them, and more than one-third currently use them. The finding that these products are being used for marijuana raises concerns about enforcement of existing restrictions on public marijuana use and potential exposure to harmful toxicants. as JUUL expands globally, knowledge of patterns of use among adults and youth can help inform public health policy and practice, including efforts to prevent youth access to and use of these products.

Marynak KL, ali FRM, Schauer GL, Tynan Ma, King Ba. Use and reasons for use of electronic vapour products shaped like USB flash drives among a national sample of adults. Tobacco control. 2019;28(6):685-688. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-054932