Factors associated with intentions to use e-cigarettes among Australian young adult non-smokers

Motivators of e-cigarette use among Australian adolescents, young adults, and adults

OBJECTIVE

There is limited research examining motivators of e-cigarette use among never smokers, a group for whom vaping has no benefits and many harms. To inform programs and policies that aim to prevent initiation and encourage cessation of e-cigarette use, this study investigated reasons for intended use, initiation, and continued use of e-cigarettes among various age and user groups in Australia.

METHODS

An online survey was administered to 4617 respondents. Never users of e-cigarettes and never smokers who reported intending to try e-cigarettes (n = 348), current e-cigarette users and never smokers (n = 121), and current e-cigarette users and current smokers (n = 354) were of interest to this study.

RESULTS

Among never smokers, curiosity was the most commonly reported reason for intended use and use initiation, whereas the taste of e-cigarettes and their appealing flavours were the most frequently reported motivators of current e-cigarette use. Among smokers, taste and flavourings were the most commonly reported motivators of current use, not smoking cessation. Adolescents and young adults in most user groups were more likely than adults to report using e-cigarettes out of curiosity and because they taste good, whereas adults were more likely to use for smoking cessation purposes and because they perceived e-cigarettes to be more acceptable and cheaper than tobacco cigarettes.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that (i) prohibiting flavourings and (ii) restricting advertising that highlights the pleasurable effects of e-cigarettes could constitute potential means of preventing e-cigarette initiation and encouraging cessation among never smokers, especially adolescents.

E-cigarette attitudes and behaviours amongst 15-30-year-olds in the UK

BACKGROUND

The use of e-cigarettes has been rising in the UK, particularly by young people. This study investigated behaviours, attitudes and beliefs about e-cigarettes amongst 15-30-year-olds in the UK.

METHODS

An online survey was administered to a sample of 1009 15-30-year-olds in the UK.

RESULTS

About one in five participants currently used e-cigarettes at least monthly, with 1 in 10 using them daily. Amongst those using e-cigarettes at least monthly, 90% had used e-cigarettes containing nicotine. E-cigarettes were mainly obtained from vape shops and used at home. Having friends who used e-cigarettes and using them to help quit/reduce smoking were the most common reasons for vaping. About half of participants had been exposed to e-cigarette advertising, especially online, and warning labels on e-cigarettes. Most participants agreed that e-cigarettes are addictive (75%), help people quitting smoking (64%) and are bad for health (63%). Previous or current tobacco smokers were 9 and 22 times more likely to use e-cigarettes than never smokers, respectively. Perceiving e-cigarettes as harmful was associated with a 40% lower likelihood of use.

CONCLUSION

Raising awareness on the uncertain long-term consequences of vaping and regulation of marketing and sales are crucial to protect young people in the UK.

Exposure to e-cigarette advertising and young people's use of e-cigarettes: A four-country study

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization recommends banning all forms of e-cigarette advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. The aims of the present study were to: 1) examine young people's exposure to e-cigarette advertising across a wide range of media in four diverse countries; and 2) identify any association between the number of different types of media exposures and e-cigarette use.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was administered to approximately 1000 people aged 15-30 years in Australia, China, India, and the United Kingdom (n=4107). The survey assessed demographic characteristics, e-cigarette and tobacco use, numbers of friends and family members who vape, and exposure to multiple forms of e-cigarette advertising (e.g. television, radio, print, and various types of social media). Descriptive analyses were conducted on those who had heard of e-cigarettes (n=3095, significance threshold p<0.001) and a logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with e-cigarette ever use (significance threshold p<0.05).

RESULTS

The majority (85%) of respondents who had heard of e-cigarettes reported being exposed to e-cigarette advertising on at least one type of media, and the average number of types of media to which respondents were exposed was 5 (range: 0-17). The number of media types was significantly associated with ever use of e-cigarettes (OR=1.05; 95% CI: 1.02-1.08, p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite advertising restrictions in place in all four countries, large majorities of young people reported being exposed to e-cigarette advertising. Social media and advertising on/around vape shops and other retailers appear to be key exposure locations. Urgent attention is needed to address these forms of exposure given their apparent association with e-cigarette use.

Short report: Factors contributing to young people's susceptibility to e-cigarettes in four countries

BACKGROUND

Identifying young people who are susceptible to e-cigarettes is important for developing interventions designed to discourage uptake. Current evidence in a broader range of national contexts is needed given recent surges in youth e-cigarette use in many countries and the constantly evolving nature of vaping products and the promotional strategies used by the industry to increase their appeal.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was administered to around 1000 15-30 year olds in each of four countries: Australia, China, India, and the United Kingdom (total n = 4007). The survey assessed demographic characteristics, e-cigarette and tobacco use, exposure to e-cigarette advertising, and number of friends and family members who vape. Those who had never used e-cigarettes (n = 1589) were assessed for susceptibility (curiosity about e-cigarettes, intentions to use in the next 12 months, and likely use if offered by a friend). Mixed effects logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with susceptibility to e-cigarette use.

RESULTS

Susceptibility to e-cigarette use was apparent among 54% of respondents from Australia, 61% from India, 62% from the UK, and 82% from China. Factors positively associated with susceptibility were tobacco use, exposure to advertising, higher income, and having friends and family members who vape. Factors negatively associated with susceptibility were perceptions of harmfulness and education.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate the need across a diverse range of countries for interventions designed to address substantial proportions of young people who are likely to be susceptible to e-cigarette use.

Perceptions of e-cigarettes among Australian adolescents, young adults, and adults

Increases in e-cigarette use are of concern to public health authorities given the harms associated with vaping. Understanding people's perceptions of the risks and benefits of e-cigarette use has the potential to assist with prevention efforts. However, research assessing the perceptions of Australian adolescents and any differences in perceptions between adolescents, young adults, and adults is limited. Additionally, research exploring perceptions of various types of e-cigarettes is lacking. To inform the development of prevention and intervention programs and policies, this study aimed to explore Australians' perceptions of the risks and benefits associated with e-cigarette use and whether perceptions differ by age and user status. A sample of 4,617 Australians aged 12 + years completed an online survey that assessed (i) smoking and e-cigarette user status, (ii) e-cigarette risk perceptions, (iii) beliefs about e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, and (iv) positive e-cigarette outcome expectancies. Across all age groups, respondents perceived non-nicotine and flavoured e-cigarettes as less harmful than nicotine e-cigarettes. Significantly more adolescents and young adults than adults held positive outcome expectancies, and a substantial minority of non-users and never users in all age groups believed that using e-cigarettes confers social and mental health benefits. Given the potential benefits they perceived to be associated with e-cigarette use, a substantial proportion of adolescent and young adult never users may be vulnerable to initiation. These findings highlight the importance of (i) adequately communicating the risks associated with non-nicotine e-cigarette use and (ii) addressing misperceptions about use, especially among youth.

Electronic Cigarette Usage Patterns and Perceptions in Adult Australians

Despite their increasing popularity, and Australia's unique regulatory environment, how and why Australian adults use e-cigarettes and their perceptions of their safety, efficacy and regulation have not been extensively reported before. In this study, we screened 2217 adult Australians with the aim of assessing these questions in a sample of current or former e-cigarette users. A total of 505 out of 2217 respondents were current or former e-cigarette users, with only these respondents completing the full survey. Key findings of this survey included the high proportion of respondents who indicated they were currently using e-cigarettes (307 out of 2217 = 13.8%), and the high proportion of current e-cigarette users that were also smokers (74.6%). The majority of respondents used e-liquids containing nicotine (70.3%), despite it being illegal in Australia without a prescription, and the majority bought their devices and liquids in Australia (65.7%). Respondents reported using e-cigarettes in a variety of places, including inside the home, inside public places (where it is illegal to smoke tobacco cigarettes), and around other people-which has implications for second and third hand exposures. A significant proportion of current e-cigarette users (30.6%) thought that e-cigarettes were completely safe to use long-term, although in general, there was a large amount of uncertainty/ambivalence with respect to perceptions of e-cigarette safety and efficacy as smoking cessation tools. This study shows that e-cigarette use is common in Australia, and that appropriate dissemination of unbiased research findings on their safety and efficacy in smoking cessation is urgently required.

E-cigarette attitudes and use in a sample of Australians aged 15–30 years

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore e-cigarette exposure and patterns of vaping in a sample of Australians aged 15-30 years to provide insight into potential means of minimising young people's harm from e-cigarettes.

METHODS

A national sample of 1,006 Australians aged 15-30 years completed an online survey. Demographics, use of tobacco and vaping products, motivations for use, how e-cigarettes are obtained, where they are used, intentions to use among nonusers, exposure to others' vaping behaviours, exposure to e-cigarette advertising, perceptions of harms associated with e-cigarettes, and minors' perceptions of ease of access were assessed.

RESULTS

Almost half of respondents reported being either current users (14%) or having tried/used e-cigarettes in the past (33%). Factors positively associated with ever use were being a past or present user of tobacco cigarettes and number of friends who vape. Stronger perceptions of addictiveness were inversely associated with use.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite current restrictions on e-cigarette availability and promotion, the results suggest many young people in Australia may be exposed to e-cigarettes in multiple ways.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Additional efforts appear to be needed to control e-cigarette availability and promotion to prevent young people's exposure to vaping.

E-cigarette-related beliefs, behaviors, and policy support among young people in China

INTRODUCTION

China has recently introduced a range of e-cigarette control policies with a focus on addressing an increase in youth vaping. This study aimed to investigate a wide range of e-cigarette-related attitudes and behaviors in a national sample of Chinese adolescents and young adults to obtain insights into their exposure to, experiences with, and attitudes to e-cigarettes on the cusp of new regulations coming into force.

METHODS

An online survey was administered to a sample of 1062 adolescents and young adults (aged 15-30 years) in China in November-December 2021. Quotas were applied to achieve an approximately equal gender split, representation across age sub-groups (15-17, 18-20, 21-23, 24-26, and 27-30 years), and approximately two-thirds representing low- and middle-income groups. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were also calculated.

RESULTS

Just under half (47%) reported no knowledge of e-cigarettes and/or vaping. One in five reported ever using e-cigarettes ('even once or twice'), 8% reported being current users, and 3% reported being daily users. Around twothirds of those who had heard of e-cigarettes/vaping had friends who vaped and had seen e-cigarette advertising. Fruit flavors were most popular, and the most frequently nominated reasons for vaping were to cut down on cigarette smoking and because a friend used them. The factors positively associated with ever use of e-cigarettes were current tobacco smoking (AOR=68.26) or previous tobacco smoking (AOR=39.15) and having friends who vape (AOR=1.76). Perceptions of addictiveness were negatively associated with ever use (AOR=0.47). Strong support was evident for most assessed e-cigarette control policies.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that young people in China have been able to access and use e-cigarettes, although rates of regular use are low. Generally, high levels of expressed support for a range of e-cigarette control policies among members of this age group suggest the new regulatory environment is consistent with their policy preferences.

E-cigarettes: A continuing public health challenge in India despite comprehensive bans

India has introduced comprehensive e-cigarette bans focused on protecting youth from vaping-related harm. Despite these bans, educated young people appear to be a relatively high user group, although little is known about their usage patterns. The aims of the present study were to examine educated young adults' e-cigarette-related attitudes and behaviors and their support for various e-cigarette control policies. In total, 840 tertiary-educated young adults completed an online survey. Demographic characteristics, e-cigarette and tobacco use, beliefs about e-cigarettes, exposure to e-cigarette advertising, sources of access to e-cigarettes, numbers of family members and peers who vape, and support for a range of e-cigarette policies were assessed. One-third (33%) reported never having heard of e-cigarettes/vapes, 23% reported ever using e-cigarettes, 70% reported ever using tobacco, and 8% were dual users of both e-cigarettes and tobacco. Only 8% of e-cigarette users reported daily use. Vapers sourced e-cigarettes from retail outlets (vape shops, tobacconists) and their social networks (friends, siblings). Just under two-thirds of those who were aware of e-cigarettes believed them to be harmful and to contain chemicals. Among non-users, 31% were curious about using e-cigarettes and 23% intended to use in the following year, indicating high levels of susceptibility. The results suggest that despite a complete ban, young people are still able to access e-cigarettes in India. Greater education about harms associated with vaping and more intensive monitoring and enforcement could assist in reducing uptake in relatively high-prevalence groups such as educated young adults.

Social connections influencing e-cigarette use and intentions in Australia: a survey

Social factors play a role in e-cigarette uptake, but Australian evidence is limited. This study evaluated associations between social factors and e-cigarette intention and use.

Australian participants surveyed between March 2019 and July 2019 using a cross-sectional survey design, measuring e-cigarette intentions and use, and factors including smoking status and social acceptability.

Of 243 respondents, 185 were included in the final analysis, measuring e-cigarette intention and use, and factors including smoking status and social acceptability. Of 185 participants, daily, occasional, and ex-smokers (123 participants) were more likely to have used e-cigarettes (OR = 9.33; 95% CI 4.63-18.80) or intend to use e-cigarettes (OR = 4.86; 95% CI 2.32-10.21), relative to nonsmokers (62 participants). Participants reporting acceptability among people they study or work with (70 participants) were more likely to have used e-cigarettes relative to the reference group (OR = 16.76; 95% CI 3.70-75.83; p = 0.001) and were more likely report intending to use e-cigarettes relative to the reference group (OR = 3.40; 95%CI 1.58-7.30; p = 0.002).

With caveats related to the survey participant composition, the results suggest that places of work or study may be an appropriate place to consider interventions aimed at reducing e-cigarette uptake among nonsmokers.