ENDS Flavor Preference by Menthol Cigarette Smoking Status among US adults, 2018-2019.

Introduction:
This article presents the findings of a study analyzing e-cigarette flavor preference by menthol cigarette smoking status among US adults using data from the 2018-2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS). The study examines this flavor preference among dual-cigarette and e-cigarette users and recent former cigarette smokers who report switching to e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking. The study also analyzes e-cigarette flavor preference by menthol smoking by device type for disposable, cartridge-based, and tank or modifiable products.

Key Points:

* The study found that menthol cigarette smokers were more likely to use menthol/mint-flavored e-cigarettes than nonmenthol smokers.
* Exclusive use of menthol/mint-flavored e-cigarettes in this group was more limited, although it was most common among users of cartridge-based devices.
* Exclusive tobacco-flavored e-cigarette use was fairly common among dual users who smoked non-menthol cigarettes.
* any and exclusive use of fruit and other flavors was common among dual users and "switchers," with use of these flavors particularly prevalent among users of open system tank or mod devices.
* The study provides evidence that among adults menthol cigarette smokers are particularly likely to use menthol or mint-flavored e-cigarettes compared to nonmenthol smokers.
* The study's findings can inform policy measures concerning flavored ENDS products generally.
* The data used in this study was collected before the release of the FDa final guidance document on flavored ENDS, providing a cross-sectional "snapshot" of ENDS flavor use among US adults before introduction of this enforcement policy.

Main Message:
The study highlights the association between menthol cigarette smoking and the use of menthol/mint-flavored e-cigarettes, providing valuable information for policy measures concerning flavored ENDS products. The findings can help identify product characteristics that encourage adult smokers to transition from combusted tobacco use, and can inform efforts to regulate flavored ENDS products in the US.

Rostron BL, Chang JT, Chang CM, Jackson Ra, ambrose BK. ENDS Flavor Preference by Menthol Cigarette Smoking Status among US adults, 2018-2019. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2020;18(1). doi:10.3390/ijerph18010240