Do Current Smokers and Ex-Smokers Who Use Nicotine Vaping Products Daily Versus Weekly Differ on Their Reasons for Vaping? Findings from the 2020 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey.

Introduction:
This article reports on a study examining reasons why adults who currently smoke or formerly smoked cigarettes use nicotine vaping products (NVPs) by vaping frequency (daily vs. weekly) stratified by smoking status. The study uses data from the 2020 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey and includes 3070 adults from Australia, Canada, England, and the United States.

Key Points:
- Both current and former smokers endorsed an average of six reasons for vaping, with those vaping daily reporting significantly more reasons than those vaping weekly.
- Among current smokers, 72.8% reported vaping may help them quit smoking, 13.0% reported vaping to reduce smoking but not to quit, and 14.2% reported vaping only for reasons other than to reduce or quit smoking.
- The most common reason for vaping among current smokers was to reduce smoking (81.3%). Current smokers vaping daily were significantly more likely than those vaping weekly to report using a NVP to reduce smoking, for enjoyment, to reduce harm to themselves and others, to quit smoking, likeable flavours, and to save money.
- Among ex-smokers, the most common reasons for vaping were enjoyment, with those who vaped daily more likely than those who vaped weekly to report vaping for enjoyment and to reduce harm to themselves.
- Nearly all reported vaping to help stay abstinent from smoking (92.3%), with no significant difference by vaping frequency.

Main Message:
The study found that a majority of respondents reported using NVPs to manage their smoking (reduce/quit smoking or remain quit), particularly those vaping daily. Those who were vaping daily also endorsed a greater number of reasons other than managing smoking relative to those who were vaping weekly. The results suggest that NVPs may play a role in smoking cessation and reduction, particularly for those who use them daily. However, the study also highlights the need for further research on the long-term health effects of NVP use.

Gravely S, Yong HH, et al. Do Current Smokers and Ex-Smokers Who Use Nicotine Vaping Products Daily Versus Weekly Differ on Their Reasons for Vaping? Findings from the 2020 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2022;19(21). doi:10.3390/ijerph192114130