Differences in the design and sale of e-cigarettes by cigarette manufacturers and non-cigarette manufacturers in the USA: Table 1

Introduction:
This text reviews a study that examines and compares the websites of leading e-cigarette brands in the USA. The study focuses on the design and sale of e-cigarette products by three categories of brands: those developed by cigarette manufacturers, those acquired by cigarette manufacturers, and those with no cigarette manufacturer affiliation. The study aims to understand how their e-cigarette product offerings and sales practices compare.

Key Points:

* The study examined the top nine e-cigarette brand websites according to the Nielsen scanner data for sales in the USA in 2013, and also included the website for Green Smoke (acquired by Altria).
* The study found differences in e-cigarette products and sales practices across the three e-cigarette brand categories.
* Brands developed by cigarette manufacturers had restricted website access to users aged 21 years or older, and their products were exclusively reusable/rechargeable 'cigalikes' with limited flavour options and no nicotine-free options.
* Brands acquired by cigarette manufacturers and brands with no cigarette manufacturer affiliation generally required website visitors to be 18, offered a nicotine-free option, and most offered disposable products and an array of flavoured products.
* The study suggests that anticipated regulation of e-cigarettes in the USA may be influencing these product and sales decisions.

Seidenberg, Andrew B, Catherine L Jo, and Kurt M Ribisl. “Differences in the Design and Sale of E-Cigarettes by Cigarette Manufacturers and Non-Cigarette Manufacturers in the USA: Table 1.” Tobacco Control 25, no. e1 (April 2016): e3–5. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052375.