Tobacco Use Status and Temptation to Try E-Cigarettes among a Sample of appalachian Youth.

Introduction:
This article examines the relationship between tobacco use status and temptation to try e-cigarettes among a sample of appalachian youth. The study aims to investigate the extent to which tobacco use status is associated with temptation to try e-cigarettes and assess the moderating role of gender and race/ethnicity on these associations. Understanding these relationships can inform tobacco prevention interventions for youth at higher risk for e-cigarette use.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the Youth appalachian Tobacco Study (YaTS), which includes 1047 youth from the appalachian regions of Kentucky, North Carolina, and New York.
* Tobacco use status is categorized into three groups: never users, ever non-e-cigarette users, and ever e-cigarette users.
* an e-cigarette use temptation scale is created by summing the scores of twelve situations that may tempt youth to try e-cigarettes.
* The study adjusts for gender, race/ethnicity, school type, state, and household tobacco users in the analysis.
* The results show that tobacco use status, state, and household tobacco users are significantly associated with temptation to try e-cigarettes.
* The interaction between tobacco use status and race/ethnicity suggests that non-e-cigarette users from racial/ethnic minorities may have higher susceptibility to being tempted to use e-cigarettes.
* among e-cigarette users, females have higher adjusted group means for temptation to try e-cigarettes than male e-cigarette users.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between tobacco use status and temptation to try e-cigarettes among appalachian youth. The results suggest that non-e-cigarette users from racial/ethnic minority groups may be at higher risk for trying e-cigarettes than their White counterparts. Tailored tobacco prevention efforts for groups at-risk of initiating or continuing e-cigarette use, such as appalachian youth, are especially important. Re-fining such efforts based on sociodemographics may contribute to overall effectiveness, thus decreasing the likelihood of negative long-term health consequences that come with e-cigarette use.

Mattingly DT, Rai J, agbonlahor O, Walker KL, hart JL. Tobacco Use Status and Temptation to Try E-Cigarettes among a Sample of appalachian Youth. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;18(13). doi:10.3390/ijerph18136755