Popular flavors used in alternative tobacco products among young adults.

Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the popularity of various flavors in alternative tobacco products among young adults. The study aims to provide information that can inform regulatory actions regarding tobacco flavor regulation. The key points and main message of the text are summarized below.

Key Points:

* The study surveyed 365 young adults in California about their use of pod-based e-cigarettes, other e-cigarettes, hookah, and cigars/cigarillos.
* Participants were asked about the first and usual flavors of alternative tobacco products they used.
* The flavor categories included fruit, candy, menthol, mint, coffee, spice, alcohol, wintergreen, and tobacco.
* The most common flavors used were fruit and mint for pod-based e-cigarettes, fruit and candy for other e-cigarettes and hookah, and menthol and tobacco for cigars/cigarillos.
* approximately half of ever-flavor users reported they "usually" used the same flavors across products.
* Many participants were unaware of which flavors they used, and virtually none of the participants used tobacco flavored products.
* Mint and menthol were among the most commonly used flavors, indicating appeal to young adults similarly as do other characterizing flavors.
* The findings suggest that all flavors, including mint and menthol, should be eliminated from all tobacco products to reduce their appeal to youth and young adults.

Main Message:
The study provides important information on the popularity of various flavors in alternative tobacco products among young adults. The findings suggest that all flavors, including mint and menthol, should be eliminated from all tobacco products to reduce their appeal to youth and young adults. as the US, several states, and cities are proposing a comprehensive ban on all flavored tobacco products, this study makes a timely contribution by providing the rationale for this important regulation.

Nguyen N, McKelvey K, halpern-Felsher B. Popular flavors used in alternative tobacco products among young adults. Journal of adolescent health. 2019;65(2):306-308. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.05.004