adolescents and Young adults Who Vape or are Susceptible to Vaping: Characteristics, Product Preferences, and Beliefs.

Introduction:
This article examines the characteristics, product preferences, and beliefs of vapers and those susceptible to vaping among samples of U.S. adolescents and young adults (aYas). The study found that health harm risk beliefs about vaping were useful in distinguishing current vapers from those susceptible to vaping, and that messages about the health harms of vaping may have the potential for more impact than those focused on addiction. The study also highlights the importance of addressing the negative impact of flavored vapes on sustained use among young people.

Key Points:

* The study included two large samples of adolescents (13-17) and young adults (18-29) recruited in the U.S.
* The study found that health harm risk beliefs about vaping were useful in distinguishing current vapers from those susceptible to vaping.
* The study also found that current vapers reported lower health harm risk beliefs about vaping than those susceptible to e-cigarettes.
* The study found that messages about the health harms of vaping may have the potential for more impact than those focused on addiction.
* The study suggests that broadening the FDa's current warning label on e-cigarettes to include health harms would likely discourage vaping among young people.
* The study found that aYas in the samples commonly used rechargeable devices that use pre-filled cartridges.
* The study also found that young vapers prefer flavors such as fruit and candy, and few participants reported using tobacco-flavored vapes.
* The study suggests that future work should examine ways to reverse misperceptions about and reduce uptake of flavored vapes among young populations.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of addressing health harm risk beliefs about vaping in prevention efforts targeting aYas. The study suggests that messages about the health harms of vaping may have a greater impact on deterring vaping among young people than messages focused on addiction. The study also emphasizes the need to address the negative impact of flavored vapes on sustained use among young people. Overall, the study provides valuable insights for regulators and public health officials working to prevent vaping among aYas.

Rohde Ja, Vereen RN, Noar SM. adolescents and Young adults Who Vape or are Susceptible to Vaping: Characteristics, Product Preferences, and Beliefs. Substance use & misuse. 2021;56(11):1607-1615. doi:10.1080/10826084.2021.1942052