The effect of potential electronic nicotine delivery system regulations on nicotine product selection

Introduction:
This text is a research report on the potential impact of regulations on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), specifically examining the effects of increasing taxes, reducing flavor availability, and adding warning labels on nicotine product selection among adult smokers. The study was conducted through a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with a national sample of 1200 adult smokers.

Key Points:

* Increasing ENDS prices from $3 to $6 was associated with a 13.6 percentage point reduction in ENDS selection.
* Restricting flavor availability in ENDS to tobacco and menthol was associated with a 2.1 percentage point reduction in ENDS selection.
* The proposed FDA warning label was associated with a 1.1 percentage point reduction in ENDS selection, and a more severe warning label was associated with a 5.1 percentage point reduction.
* The study estimated an ENDS price elasticity of -1.8, indicating that a 10% increase in ENDS prices reduces ENDS selection by 18% for adult smokers.
* Statistically significant interaction terms imply that price responsiveness was higher among adult smokers 18-24 years of age, smokers who have vaped over the last month, and smokers with above the median quitting interest.
* Young adult smokers were 3.7 percentage points more likely to choose ENDS when multiple flavors were available than older adults.
* Young adult smokers and those with above the median cigarette quitting interest were more likely to reduce cigarette selection and increase ENDS selection in January, potentially in response to New Year's resolutions to quit smoking.

Main Message:
The study suggests that increased taxes, a proposed US Food and Drug Administration warning label for ENDS, and a more severe warning label may discourage adult smokers from switching to ENDS. Reducing the availability of flavors may reduce ENDS use by young adult smokers. Overall, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers considering regulating ENDS in order to reduce smoking-related disease, death, and health inequalities.

Pesko, Michael F., Donald S. Kenkel, Hua Wang, and Jenna M. Hughes. “The Effect of Potential Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Regulations on Nicotine Product Selection.” Addiction 111, no. 4 (April 2016): 734–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13257.