Longitudinal analysis of associations Between Reasons for Electronic Cigarette Use and Change in Smoking Status among adults in the Population assessment of Tobacco and health Study.

Introduction:
This text summarizes a scientific study examining the relationship between reasons for using electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) and changes in smoking status among current and former cigarette smokers. The study uses data from the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal cohort study designed to assess tobacco use in the US population. The study examines the prevalence of reasons for ECIG use, correlations between reasons for ECIG use, and associations between reasons for ECIG use and smoking status transitions among current and former cigarette smokers.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the PaTh Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal cohort study designed to assess tobacco use in the US population.
* The study examines the prevalence of reasons for ECIG use, correlations between reasons for ECIG use, and associations between reasons for ECIG use and smoking status transitions among current and former cigarette smokers.
* The study identifies the most popular reasons for ECIG use, including "They might be less harmful to people around me than cigarettes" and "They might be less harmful to me than cigarettes".
* The study also finds that reasons for ECIG use vary by ECIG user category, with current ECIG users having the lowest percentage of all reasons for ECIG use.
* The study examines two smoking status transitions: wave 1 former smokers to wave 2 current smokers, and wave 1 current smokers to wave 2 former smokers.
* The study finds that using ECIGs because "It can be used in places where smoking cigarettes is not allowed" is associated with decreased likelihood of transitioning from being a current smoker at wave 1 to a former smoker at wave 2.
* The study also finds that using ECIGs because "Using them helps people quit smoking" is associated with increased likelihood of relapse to smoking at wave 2 among wave 1 former smokers.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of examining reasons for ECIG use as a predictor of cigarette smoking behavior. The findings suggest that some reasons for ECIG use, such as using ECIGs in locations where smoking is not allowed, may inhibit smoking reduction, while others, such as availability of desired flavors, may aid in relapse prevention. The results provide support for future research on reasons for ECIG use to inform regulatory policies. It is important for regulatory agencies to consider these findings when developing policies related to ECIG use, as certain reasons for ECIG use may be associated with negative outcomes.

Soule EK, Plunk aD, harrell PT, hayes RB, Edwards KC. Longitudinal analysis of associations Between Reasons for Electronic Cigarette Use and Change in Smoking Status among adults in the Population assessment of Tobacco and health Study. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. 2020;22(5):663-671. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntz005