Electronic cigarette use behaviors and motivations among smokers and non-smokers

Abstract

BackgroundThe use of electronic cigarettes (EC) has risen exponentially over the past decade, including among never smokers, and ECs are now the most popular tobacco product among teenagers in the US. While, EC manufacturers utilize numerous marketing strategies to target both smokers and non-smokers, it is unclear how perceptions and behaviors differ between these two groups.MethodsWe conducted a survey of 320 adults either via online surveys or in Baltimore vape shops to determine demographics, behaviors, perceptions, and motivations underlying use of ECs.ResultsOur survey respondents were predominantly young, Caucasian males, 74% of whom identified themselves as former smokers, while 20% identified as current smokers and 6% were never smokers. Former smokers reported a longer history of EC use and higher nicotine concentrations than current smokers. For former and current smokers, the primary motivation for EC use was assistance to quit smoking, and nearly half indicated that they plan to reduce their nicotine concentration and eventually quit using ECs. Among former smokers, self-reports on use and measures of dependence were consistent with nicotine replacement as their primary motivation. The majority of former and current smokers also reported that their respiratory health had improved as a result of EC use, although this effect was stronger for former smokers. Never smokers reported less frequent EC use and dependence compared to former and current smokers. Their motivations for use were more commonly for enjoyment and popularity, and they displayed a reduced desire to eventually quit using ECs.ConclusionsThese responses provide insight into the underlying thoughts and behaviors of smoking and non-smoking EC users and also suggest that never smoking EC users are an emerging demographic with different motivations and perceptions than those of current and former smokers.

Sensory experiences and cues among E-cigarette users

“…Enjoyment and satisfaction may influence use of e-cigarettes and CTC [45][46][47][48][49] therefore both are critical to consider. In fact, among a sample of college students between the ages of 18 and 23 years, enjoyment surpassed all reasons for daily and non-daily e-cigarette use, including quitting or reducing smoking and decreasing craving [47].…”

Factors Associated with E-Cigarette Use in U.S. Young Adult Never Smokers of Conventional Cigarettes: A Machine Learning Approach

“…Moreover, in 2015 and 2016, the results from two different national surveys show that 40% and 44%, respectively, of current e-cigarette users aged 18–C24 years were sole e-cigarette users [ 27 , 29 ]. E-cigarettes may be safer than cigarettes for smokers [ 30 ], but never smokers who use e-cigarettes likely receive little benefit [ 31 ]. Studies have shown that the perception of e-cigarettes and motivation for e-cigarette use varied based on cigarette smoking status [ 31 , 32 ], therefore, factors unique to never smokers need to be identified.…”

Welsh primary schoolchildren’s perceptions of e-cigarettes: a mixed method study

“…In 2018 an estimated 2291 adolescents in Great Britain (GB) aged 11-18 years used e-cigarettes (2). Although some reports suggest that regular use (once a week or more) amongst youth is rare and largely limited to current or previous smokers (2)(3)(4), awareness of and experimentation with e-cigarettes is rising (2,(5)(6)(7)(8). Similar trends have been noted in other countries including the USA and Canada (9,10).…”

“…This small scale mixed method study aimed to explore Welsh primary schoolchildren's (aged [7][8][9][10][11] awareness of e-cigarettes relative to tobacco smoking, their understanding of the risks and benefits associated with e-cigarettes and their intentions and beliefs about vaping; to inform development of effective prevention strategies and policy responses around e-cigarette use.…”