Summary
Introduction:
This text is a research letter published in JaMa Network Open that discusses the demographic characteristics, cigarette smoking, and e-cigarette use among US adults. The study is based on data from the 2018-2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, the largest nationally representative tobacco use survey of US adults. The letter aims to inform public health actions and tobacco regulations by examining the distribution of e-cigarette use among current, former, and never cigarette smokers.
Key Points:
* The study found that more than 5.66 million adults in the US population reported current vaping (2.3%).
* among e-cigarette users, more than 2.21 million were current cigarette smokers (39.1%), more than 2.14 million were former smokers (37.9%), and more than 1.30 million were never smokers (23.1%).
* The prevalence of vaping was higher among men (2.8%) and non-hispanic White, american Indian/alaskan Native, and multiracial individuals.
* The majority of vapers were current or former smokers, except for individuals aged 18-34 years who had never smoked.
* among current dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, 69.3% reported using e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking.
* among former smokers who currently vape, 80.7% reported that they had used e-cigarettes to help them quit smoking.
* The study also found that 23.1% of e-cigarette users reported never smoking, and most were younger than 35 years.
* The study had limitations, including a cross-sectional design and self-reported data.
Main Message:
The study highlights the growing trend of e-cigarette use among US adults, particularly among current and former cigarette smokers. While e-cigarettes are marketed as a smoking cessation tool, the study suggests that their use may lead to dual use with cigarettes, which can have negative health consequences. Moreover, the study raises concerns about the high prevalence of e-cigarette use among young adults who have never smoked, as nicotine is highly addictive and can negatively affect brain development. Therefore, continued surveillance and regulation of e-cigarette use are necessary to protect public health.
Citation
Mayer M, Reyes-Guzman C, Grana R, Choi K, Freedman ND. Demographic Characteristics, Cigarette Smoking, and e-Cigarette Use among US adults. JaMa network open. 2020;3(10):1. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.20694
