Interest in quitting e-cigarettes among adults in the United States.

Introduction:
This text is a letter published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, written by Rachel L. Rosen and Marc L. Steinberg, presenting an analysis of data from the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) Study. The authors focus on current adult e-cigarette users in the United States and their plans, intentions, and attempts to quit e-cigarettes. The letter highlights the need for understanding the long-term use of e-cigarettes and the significance of assisting users in quitting.

Key Points:

* The study examines data from the PaTh Public Use adult Files at Wave 3 (2015-2016), focusing on current, established e-cigarette users.
* In the sample (N = 1771), the majority of current e-cigarette users were 18-34 years old, male, white, and non-hispanic. More than half were also current combustible cigarette users.
* Nearly two-thirds of e-cigarette users reported plans to quit e-cigarettes for good, with various timeframes for quitting.
* More than 65% of current e-cigarette users expressed at least some interest in quitting, and 38% endorsed at least a 5 out of 10 rating on a scale of 1-10.
* Over 25% of adult e-cigarette users reported an attempt to quit e-cigarettes in the past year, either by trying to quit all at once or by cutting down.
* Of the e-cigarette users reporting an attempt to quit all at once in the past year (n = 177), 25% reported seeking support from family and friends, and 11% reported seeking counseling or self-help materials.
* among e-cigarette users who endorsed using FDa-approved cessation aids in the past year, the majority endorsed using those aids during their most recent e-cigarette quit attempt.

Main Message:
The main message of this letter is the need to recognize the increasing number of e-cigarette users who want to quit and the importance of being prepared to help them. as e-cigarette use continues to grow, it is crucial for the field to focus on developing and providing effective cessation strategies for e-cigarette users, similar to those available for combustible cigarette smokers. This will become increasingly important for public health as more e-cigarette users may face difficulties in quitting on their own.

Rosen RL, Steinberg ML. Interest in quitting e-cigarettes among adults in the United States. Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 2020;22(5):857-858. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntz062