Examining the potential role of e-cigarettes to reduce health disparities associated with menthol cigarette use: Characterizing e-cigarette use, flavors, and reasons for use among US adults smoking menthol cigarettes.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the potential role of e-cigarettes in reducing health disparities associated with menthol cigarette use. The study uses nationally representative survey data to investigate current use of e-cigarettes, flavor preferences, and reasons for use by menthol cigarette status and race/ethnicity.

Key Points:

* The study found that adults smoking menthol cigarettes had higher odds of current e-cigarette use compared to those smoking non-menthol cigarettes.
* However, NH Black and Hispanic adults who smoke cigarettes had lower odds of current e-cigarette use compared to NH White adults.
* NH Black and Hispanic adults who smoke cigarettes had greater odds of using menthol/mint flavored e-cigarettes, but lower odds of using e-cigarettes to cut down on cigarette smoking.
* Sweet-flavored e-cigarettes were used more often by younger adults (18-24 year olds), while use of tobacco and menthol/mint flavored e-cigarettes was associated with older ages (25-65 or older).
* The findings suggest that menthol-flavored e-cigarettes may help reduce the harm associated with menthol cigarette use among adults, including adults from minoritized communities who smoke.
* The preference for menthol-flavored e-cigarettes among adults who smoke menthol cigarettes can inform e-cigarette flavor policies, especially given planned policies to ban menthol cigarettes.
* The findings also indicate the need for additional work to encourage smoking cessation among racial/ethnic minority groups who smoke cigarettes.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential role of e-cigarettes in reducing health disparities associated with menthol cigarette use. However, the findings also indicate the need for targeted strategies to support smoking cessation among racial/ethnic minority groups who smoke cigarettes. The preference for menthol-flavored e-cigarettes among adults who smoke menthol cigarettes can inform e-cigarette flavor policies, but it is crucial to ensure that these policies do not exacerbate tobacco-related health disparities among minoritized populations.

Bold KW, Buta E, Simon P, et al. Examining the potential role of e-cigarettes to reduce health disparities associated with menthol cigarette use: Characterizing e-cigarette use, flavors, and reasons for use among US adults smoking menthol cigarettes. Drug and alcohol dependence. 2022;236:109475. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109475