Electronic cigarette use among adults in 14 countries: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction:
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and variations by sociodemographic characteristics in 14 countries using Global adult Tobacco Survey (GaTS) data from 2015-2018. The study highlights the importance of continued surveillance of e-cigarette use to inform interventions and policies to prevent initiation and enhance cessation support.

Key Points:

* The study found that more than 50% of adults in Russia, Romania, and Ukraine and more than 30% of adults in China, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Mexico, and Philippines were aware of e-cigarettes.
* The crude prevalence of current e-cigarette use ranged from 0.02% in India to 3.5% in Russia.
* approximately 18.3 million adults currently used e-cigarettes across the 14 countries.
* Men had a significantly higher prevalence of current e-cigarette use than women in eight countries.
* higher adjusted prevalence was observed in some countries among young adults aged 15-24 years, urban residents, and adults with higher education levels and higher wealth index.
* The study provides needed baseline data on e-cigarette awareness and use.
* Continued surveillance is essential to inform interventions and policies to prevent initiation and enhance cessation support.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of continued surveillance of e-cigarette use to inform interventions and policies to prevent initiation and enhance cessation support. With the progress made towards a tobacco-free generation, it is essential to address the shifting landscape with the introduction of new and emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Opportunities exist for countries to develop and implement evidence-based policies and strategies related to the use of e-cigarettes. Continued surveillance and monitoring of e-cigarettes and other new and emerging tobacco products is critical to informing tobacco control policy, planning, regulation, and practice worldwide.

Pan L, Morton J, Mbulo L, Dean a, ahluwalia IB. Electronic cigarette use among adults in 14 countries: a cross-sectional study. EClinicalMedicine. 2022;47:101401. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101401