Prevalence of Young Adult Vaping, Substance Vaped, and Purchase Location Across Five Categories of Vaping Devices

Abstract

Background The rapidly evolving landscape of vaping devices has complicated analyses of use patterns among youth and young adults. The current study describes the prevalence of use, substances vaped, and purchasing behaviors across five different vaping device categories. Methods Participants (n=2505; mean age=19.2, SD=0.46) from a cohort in the Los Angeles area completed web-based surveys from June 2018–October 2019. For each of four device type categories depicted via digital images (any pod-style vape, cigalike, box-mod, vape pen) and for JUUL specifically, participants reported ever and past 30-day use, substance vaped (mostly nicotine, nicotine and THC, mostly THC, neither), ownership of device (yes/no), where they obtained that device (e.g., purchased themselves, from a friend), and if purchased, purchase location (e.g., vape shop, online). Results Overall, 44.9% reported ever use, and 26.2% reported past 30-day use of at least one of the devices. The prevalence of past 30-day use was highest for pod-style vapes (any pod=17.0%; JUUL=15.1%). Among respondents who reported ever owning any device (n=643 (25.7%)), 59.9% reported purchasing the device themselves, despite not being of legal purchasing age (15.4% of total sample); across all device types, products were most often purchased in vape shops or online. Conclusions Across all devices, the prevalence of self-purchase of vaping devices among underage young adults in the Los Angeles area was high, and most were purchased from a vape shop or online. Tobacco control policies to prevent underage purchase of tobacco products – particularly among never smokers – are needed.

Cannabis Vaping Among Youth and Young Adults: a Scoping Review

“…Regulatory approaches include rules and guidelines for cannabis vaping products, including establishing quantity limits for THC concentrates as well as requiring labels to state the same and whether concentrates have been tested for contaminants. Strong enforcement efforts are necessary, as studies report that many underage youth and young adults successfully purchase their devices online or from vape shops [ 222 ].…”

Electronic Cigarettes: A Pro–Con Review of the Current Literature

“…Thus, newer-generation e-cigarettes and ENDS are now able to deliver much higher nicotine concentrations than combustible cigarettes without the traditional acerbic taste and inhalational effects commonly associated with combustible cigarettes. 86,87,[89][90][91][92] These devices have additional appeal among youths because they often have sleek, easily concealed designs resembling pens or USB devices or are even made to resemble smartphones, gaming devices, and popular cartoon characters. 86,87,93 Furthermore, newer-generation salt-based nicotine e-liquids are available in a host of attractive fruity, minty, and candy-based flavors that hold appeal for youthful users, which can further mask subjective caustic initial effects of higher-dose nicotine inhalation, 86,87,94 are associated with an increased odds of adolescent vaping continuation (aOR ¼ 3.76; 95% CI, 1.20-10.31) and a higher level of nicotine-containing puffs taken on each vaping event (mean, 3.1 AE 5.5 vs 1.5 AE 3.8), compared with the use of unflavored tobacco or menthol flavors among youths who use e-cigarettes.…”

“…109 Furthermore, a recent survey among youths and young adults in California revealed that despite being under the legal age of 21 required for vaping device purchases in that state, most users (59.9%) reported being able to purchase their own devices both in person at vape shops and from online retailers. 92 Ongoing federal, state, and local efforts to prevent and reduce youth tobacco product use, including the use of e-cigarettes, will be imperative as the landscape of youth e-cigarette exposure continues to evolve.…”

Associations between e-cigarette policies and adolescent use and access to e-cigarettes

“…Although the majority of adolescents report obtaining e-cigarettes from social sources ( Baker et al., 2019 ; Gentzke et al., 2022 ; Meyers et al., 2017 ), there is evidence that older adolescents of legal purchasing age are more likely to obtain them commercially ( Baker et al., 2019 ). However, even with local laws restricting access, research has shown that underage users are still able to purchase products in stores and online ( Baker et al., 2019 ; Chois et al., 2021; Cwalina et al., 2021 ; Meyers et al., 2017 ; Williams et al., 2015 ).…”