Perceived health risks of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) users: The role of cigarette smoking status

Sex Differences in E-Cigarette Use and Related Health Effects

BACKGROUND

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) comprise a variety of products designed to deliver nicotine, flavorings, and other substances. To date, multiple epidemiological and experimental studies have reported a variety of health issues associated with their use, including respiratory toxicity, exacerbation of respiratory conditions, and behavioral and physiological effects. While some of these effects appear to be sex- and/or gender-related, only a portion of the research has been conducted considering these variables. In this review, we sought to summarize the available literature on sex-specific effects and sex and gender differences, including predictors and risk factors, effects on organ systems, and behavioral effects.

METHODS

We searched and selected articles from 2018-2023 that included sex as a variable or reported sex differences on e-cigarette-associated effects.

RESULTS

We found 115 relevant studies published since 2018 that reported sex differences in a variety of outcomes. The main differences reported were related to reasons for initiation, including smoking history, types of devices and flavoring, polysubstance use, physiological responses to nicotine and toxicants in e-liquids, exacerbation of lung disease, and behavioral factors such as anxiety, depression, sexuality, and bullying.

CONCLUSIONS

The available literature supports the notion that both sex and gender influence the susceptibility to the negative effects of e-cigarette use. Future research needs to consider sex and gender variables when addressing e-cigarette toxicity and other health-related consequences.

Electronic Nicotine Product Cessation and Cigarette Smoking: Analysis of Waves 3 and 4 From the PATH Study

INTRODUCTION

Identifying predictors of electronic nicotine product (ENP) cessation can inform ENP cessation interventions. High rates of cooccurring ENP and cigarette (dual) use and transitions between these products underscore the importance of considering cigarette smoking status when assessing and addressing ENP cessation.

AIMS AND METHODS

We analyzed waves 3 (W3) and 4 (W4) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study to identify (1) W3 socio-demographics, tobacco and ENP use characteristics, and psychosocial correlates of W3 cigarette smoking status (non-smoker, former, and current) among W3 adult ENP users, and (2) W3 predictors of W4 combined ENP and cigarette smoking abstinence relative to use of one or both products.

RESULTS

At W3, 65.6% of ENP users concurrently smoked cigarettes. Adjusted multinomial regression results indicated that different W3 socio-demographics, tobacco and ENP use characteristics, and psychosocial correlates were significantly associated with distinct W3 cigarette use profiles. At W4, 9.9% of individuals were abstinent from both products. These individuals were less likely to: (1) be current smokers (vs. non-smokers) or be advised to quit using tobacco, compared with cigarette only or dual users, and (2) use ENPs daily or live in a household allowing ENP use, compared with ENP only or dual users (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

ENP cessation approaches need to be tailored to the distinct cigarette use profiles of ENP users. Dual users and daily ENP users may require more intensive interventions to achieve the cessation of both products. Supportive physical environments, such as home vape-free policies, may facilitate ENP cessation.

IMPLICATIONS

This analysis contributes to advancing the nascent literature on predictors of electronic nicotine product (ENP) cessation, which can guide the development of ENP cessation interventions by indicating which populations, psychosocial and environmental constructs, and cooccurring behaviors interventions should target. This research also highlights the importance of considering cigarette smoking status when designing ENP cessation interventions and defining intervention outcomes.

Association between electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) device and E-liquid alterations and flavor use with clinical and EVALI-like symptoms

Studies reporting clinical symptoms related to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) usage, especially types of devices and e-liquids, are sparse. The sample included 1,432 current ENDS users, ages 18-64, from a nationwide online survey conducted in 2016. ENDS use included device types, nicotine content, flavors, and e-liquid used. Outcomes included any e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI)-like symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, nausea) as well as any clinical symptoms. Of the sample, 50% were female, 23% non-Hispanic (NH) White, 23% NH Black, 54% Hispanic, 18% aged 18-24, 17% LGBTQ, 41% with <$50 K income, 55% 1 + any symptoms, and 33% 1 + any EVALI-like symptoms. Cough and nausea were most prevalent among EVALI-like symptoms (27% and 7.3%, respectively). The proportion having any EVALI-like symptoms was higher in the following groups: younger, Hispanic, current smokers, and current other product users. With multiple adjustments, participants who used refillable devices, varied nicotine content, used flavored products, or made their own e-liquids were more likely to have clinical symptoms than their counterparts. For example, the odds (95% CI) of having 1 + EVALI-like symptoms in participants who used refillable devices with e-liquid pour or e-liquid cartridge replacement were 1.70 (1.13, 2.56) and 1.95 (1.27, 2.99), respectively, compared to the non-refillable group. Use of products (devices and e-liquids) that can be altered and flavored products are associated with higher odds of having clinical symptoms, including EVALI-like symptoms.

Electronic Cigarette Use and Its Relationship with Smoking and Alcohol and Illicit Drug Consumption among Romanian University Students

Background and objectives: This study assesses electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and its relationship with smoking and alcohol and illicit drug consumption among Romanian university students. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study using anonymous questionnaire was performed in 2017 among 400 university students from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Results: 95.5% of the participants had heard about e-cigarettes and 43.7% of these had tried e-cigarettes during their lifetime, while 8.9% declared using cigarettes in the previous month (one out of five students who had tried them during their lifetime). Half of the students had smoked during their lifetime and one third had smoked in the previous month. Eighty-five percent of participants had experimented alcohol intoxication during their lifetime and 45% had done so in the previous month, while illicit drug use during their lifetime and the previous month was 34% and 9.5%, respectively. The results of the linear regression analyses show a positive correlation between e-cigarette use, smoking, experimentation with alcohol intoxication, and the use of illicit drugs. Conclusions: Future studies as well as educational activities should address the complex relationship between e-cigarette and other substance use among Romanian youth.

Socioeconomic and Demographic Status and Perceived Health Risks of E-Cigarette Product Contents Among Youth: Results From a National Survey

Background. The prevalence of e-cigarette use among youth is rising and may be associated with perceptions of health risks for these products. We examined how demographic factors and socioeconomic status (SES) are correlated with the perceived health risks of e-cigarette product contents among youth. Method. Data were from a national online survey of youth aged 13 to 18 between August and October 2017, weighted to be representative of the overall U.S. population in age, sex, race/ethnicity, and region. Survey analysis procedures were used. Results. Of 1,549 e-cigarette users and 1,451 never-e-cigarette users, 20.9% were Hispanic, 13.7% Black, 21.7% LGBTQ (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer), and 49.3% in low-income families. With adjustment for e-cigarette use status, perceived health risks of nicotine and toxins/chemicals in e-cigarettes significantly differed by gender, race, sexual orientation, and SES (ps < .05). For example, adjusted odds of perceiving harm from nicotine were 60% higher in girls versus boys, 34% lower in non-Hispanic Blacks versus non-Hispanic Whites, 33% lower in urban versus suburban residents, 40% higher in LGBTQ versus straight-identifying individuals, and 28% lower in low-income versus high-income families. Lower parental education level also was associated with children's lower health risk perception of e-cigarette product contents. Conclusions. For youth, the perceived health risks of e-cigarette product contents were associated with demographics, sexual orientation, and SES. The findings may have relevance for developing communication and education strategies addressing specific youth audiences, especially those in vulnerable groups. These strategies could improve awareness among youth concerning the health risks of e-cigarettes, helping to prevent or reduce e-cigarette uptake and continued use.

Electronic cigarettes cause alteration in cardiac structure and function in diet-induced obese mice

In spite of the widespread use of electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, and the proposed adverse cardiac effects of nicotine, the detrimental effects of e-cigarettes on the heart are not well known. This study examines the detrimental effects of e-cigarettes with nicotine at doses that yield circulating nicotine and cotinine in the ranges similar to the levels found in habitual smokers, and a high fat diet (HFD) on cardiac structure and function in a commonly used model of diet-induced obesity (DIO). C57BL/6J mice on an HFD were exposed to e-cigarette in the presence (2.4% nicotine) or absence (0% nicotine) of nicotine and saline aerosol for 12 weeks. Echocardiographic data demonstrated a decrease in left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening, LV ejection fraction, and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCF) in mice treated with e-cigarette (2.4% nicotine) compared to e-cigarette (0% nicotine) or saline exposed mice. Cardiomyocytes (CMs) of mice treated with e-cigarette (2.4% nicotine) exhibited LV abnormalities, including lipid accumulation (ventricular steatosis), myofibrillar derangement and destruction, and mitochondrial hypertrophy, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. The detrimental effects of e-cigarettes (2.4% nicotine) on cardiac structure and function was accompanied by increased oxidative stress, plasma free fatty acid levels, CM apoptosis, and inactivation of AMP-activated protein kinase and activation of its downstream target, acetyl-CoA-carboxylase. Our results indicate profound adverse effects of e-cigarettes (2.4% nicotine) on the heart in obese mice and raise questions about the safety of the nicotine e-cigarettes use.

Young Adult Identification and Perception of Hashtag-Based Vaping Claims on Instagram

Social media platforms are home to large volumes of ambiguous hashtag-based claims about the health, modified-risk, and cessation benefits of electronic cigarette products (e.g., #Vapingsavedmylife). The objective of this study was to qualitatively explore how young adults interpret these hashtags on the popular platform Instagram. Specifically, we sought to identify if they view these hashtags as making health-related claims, and if they find these claims to be credible and valid. We conducted 12 focus groups in 2018 with non-tobacco users, smokers, dual users, and vapers between the ages of 18 and 24 (n = 69). Using real Instagram posts to guide discussion, participants reflected on the meaning of potentially claims-making hashtags. Participants interpreted the majority of the hashtags as making health-related claims. However, many participants felt that the claims were too exaggerated to be entirely valid. Some participants, including dual users and vapers, argued that smoking and vaping were largely equivalent. Smokers were particularly skeptical of claims. Findings suggest that the U. S. Food and Drug Administration should consider hashtag-based claims in their regulatory efforts. However, further research is needed on how to pragmatically address claims taking the form of hashtags given legal and practical constraints.

Cigarette smoking, ENDS use and dual use among a national sample of lesbians, gays and bisexuals

INTRODUCTION

Historically, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals have higher rates of cigarette smoking, often attributed to targeted tobacco advertising, exposure to stressors, and psychological distress. Elevated use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among LGB individuals has been documented recently. However, the LGB groups are not homogeneous and differences may exist between the use of tobacco by men and women within the LGB groups. The purpose of this research was to examine cigarette smoking, ENDS use and dual use (cigarettes plus ENDS) among LGB subgroups.

METHODS

We classified 2087 participants completing a national online survey based on tobacco-use status (i.e. cigarette only, ENDS only, dual use) and sexual orientation. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to assess group differences.

RESULTS

After adjusting for demographics and socioeconomic status, bisexual women were 1.85 times (95% CI: 1.19–2.87) more likely to report current dual use, in contrast to cigarette only use, compared to heterosexual women. No significant differences were found between lesbian and heterosexual women, or between gay or bisexual men and their heterosexual counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes significantly greater dual use by bisexual women and is one of the first reports of elevated dual use in this group compared to heterosexual women. These findings suggest that targeted health messages may be needed to raise awareness of risk in specific LGB groups and that future research with these populations is necessary to better understand differences in tobacco perceptions and use.

Age differences in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) usage motivations and behaviors, perceived health benefit, and intention to quit

INTRODUCTION

Data from comprehensive studies are sparse regarding age differences in issues related to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) usage. This study examined age differences in usage motivations and behaviors, perceived health benefit, and quit intentions in a large and diverse sample recruited online.

METHODS

The sample included 1,432 current ENDS users, ages 18-64, drawn from a national online survey conducted in 2016. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were used.

RESULTS

The sample included participants in the following age groups: 18-24 (17.5%), 25-34 (38.6%), 35-44 (23.3%), and 45-64 (20.7%). With multiple adjustments, the 18-24 age group was more likely to vape for reasons such as flavors or friends' use, and to use multiple flavors and products with varying nicotine content. For example, the odds (95% CI) of vaping initiation due to flavor attraction vs. other reasons in the 18-24 age group were 1.40 (1.02-1.92), 2.73 (1.85-3.99), and 2.12 (1.41-3.18) compared to the 25-34, 35-44, and 45-64 age groups, respectively. In contrast, compared to older age groups, the 18-24 age group was less likely to use ENDS as an alternative to cigarettes or as a quitting device; they also used ENDS less frequently and perceived less health benefit of ENDS use. The 18-24 age group, especially those who had only used ENDS, had the lowest odds of likely quitting use of tobacco/nicotine products compared to other groups (lower by 44-73%).

CONCLUSION

There were significant age differences in ENDS usage motivations and behaviors, perceived health benefit, and quit intentions.