Summary
Introduction:
This text provides a summary of a research report examining the relationship between e-cigarette use and conventional cigarette smoking among European students. The study uses data from the 2019 European School Survey Project on alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPaD) to investigate the individual and country-specific correlates of e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking. The report also explores the relationship between the Tobacco Control Scale (TCS) and the prevalence of current cigarette and e-cigarette use.
Key Points:
* The study found that 12.4% of the participating students were current e-cigarette users, and 19.3% were current smokers.
* Current e-cigarette users were less likely to come from families with a higher socio-economic status and lived in countries with higher cigarette prices, restrictive measures on tobacco advertising and promotion, and intermediate implementation of tobacco control measures.
* Compared with non-smokers, current smokers were more likely to come from families with similar characteristics to vapers and were less likely to live in countries with higher cigarette prices and higher spending on public anti-tobacco media campaigns.
* The study found that e-cigarette use among European adolescents is associated with weaker tobacco control measures, particularly on tobacco price, advertising and promotion.
* The adoption of governmental tobacco control policies in European countries also seems to contribute to the prevention of vaping among adolescents.
Main Message:
The main message of the text is that e-cigarette use among European adolescents is associated with weaker tobacco control measures, particularly on tobacco price, advertising and promotion. The study suggests that the adoption of governmental tobacco control policies in European countries also seems to contribute to the prevention of vaping among adolescents. The text highlights the need for policymakers to consider the potential impact of tobacco control policies on e-cigarette use among adolescents.
Citation
Cerrai S, Benedetti E, Colasante E, et al. E-cigarette use and conventional cigarette smoking among European students: findings from the 2019 ESPaD survey. addiction (abingdon, England). 2022;117(11):2918-2932. doi:10.1111/add.15982
