E-cigarette Use Patterns, Flavors, and Device Characteristics Associated with Quitting Smoking among
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Posted by: Natalia Gromov
Bold K, O'Malley S,
Krishnan-Sarin S, Morean M.
E-cigarette Use Patterns,
Flavors, and Device Characteristics Associated with Quitting Smoking among a US
Sample of Adults Using E-cigarettes in a Smoking Cessation Attempt.
[published online ahead of print, 2022 Dec 3]. Nicotine Tob Res.
2022;ntac276. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntac276
Introduction. Many
adults who smoke cigarettes use e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking, however
some are not successful. Identifying factors that are associated with
successfully quitting smoking using e-cigarettes is important for maximizing
cigarette cessation.
Methods. Online
survey data were collected in 2021 from 857 adults in the U.S. who reported
using e-cigarettes in a recent attempt to quit smoking. Survey items assessed
patterns of e-cigarette use and device characteristics (flavors, device,
nicotine) used when trying to quit smoking. Multivariable linear regression
models examined characteristics associated with the longest duration of smoking
abstinence when using e-cigarettes to try to quit.
Results. The
average duration of smoking abstinence when using e-cigarettes during a quit
attempt was 65 days (SD=104). In the multivariable model, greater frequency of
e-cigarette use when quitting and abruptly switching to e-cigarettes from
cigarettes (vs. gradually reducing) were significantly associated with longer
durations of abstinence (ps<.001). Preference for non-tobacco (relative to
tobacco) flavors and nicotine concentration were not associated with duration
of abstinence, although preference for rechargeable pod and mod device types
(vs. cig-a-likes) was associated with longer durations of abstinence.
Conclusions. Patterns
of e-cigarette use were related to abstinence duration, which may provide
guidance for adults who are using e-cigarettes to quit smoking to encourage
complete substitution and maximize smoking cessation. Findings indicate
non-tobacco e-cigarette flavors and nicotine strength are not related to longer
durations of cessation success for adults, which may inform tobacco regulatory
policies limiting these constituents to protect public health.
Implications. This
study provides important new information about characteristics of e-cigarettes
used during an attempt to quit smoking among adults across the U.S. and
identifies factors associated with quitting success. Patterns of e-cigarette
use were associated with longer durations of abstinence. In contrast, few
e-cigarette characteristics were associated with abstinence. Although
preference for some pod and mod device types was associated with longer
abstinence duration compared to earlier cig-a-like devices, preference for
non-tobacco (vs. tobacco) flavor and nicotine concentration were not associated
with abstinence. Findings may help inform guidance for adults using
e-cigarettes to quit smoking and support tobacco regulatory policies.
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