A scoping review on disparities in exposure to advertising for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products and implications for advancing a health equity research agenda

Research progress and prospect on the safety of heated tobacco products

In recent years, Heated tobacco products (HTP) have gradually entered the market and become more and more popular with consumers because of their low risk (compared with traditional cigarette). With the increasing popularity and proportion of HTP in the international market, people pay more and more attention to the safety evaluation of HTP, but there is still a lack of systematic review of HTP safety research. In this review, the harmful components of HTP, multi-organ functional programming effects (including respiratory system, cardiovascular system, etc.), and mechanism of the effect generation (including oxidative stress, inflammatory response, etc.) were systematically reviewed, the safety effects of HTP and traditional cigarettes were compared in detail, and the shortcomings and future research directions in the field of HTP safety were discussed. In summary, this review conforms to the general trend of contemporary "tobacco and health", helps people to understand and evaluate HTP more systematically, and provides a strong theoretical support and literature basis for the tobacco industry to carry out HTP risk assessment and exposure improvement.

Exposure to E-Cigarette Marketing and Susceptibility to Future Vaping among Black and Latino Adolescents in the United States

Evidence suggests an association between exposure to electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) marketing and e-cigarette use (vaping) among adolescents. However, there is limited evidence on exposure to e-cigarette marketing and susceptibility to future vaping, especially among Black and Latino adolescents. This study aimed to examine associations between exposure to e-cigarette marketing and susceptibility to future vaping among Black and Latino adolescents in the United States (US). Participants (N = 362; equal representation between Black and Latino adolescents) completed a baseline assessment (available in English and Spanish) including sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., racial/ethnic group, age, gender, sexual orientation, etc.), exposure to e-cigarette marketing, and susceptibility to future vaping. Exposure to e-cigarette marketing was recoded and organized into two categories (high exposure = 2 to 3; low exposure = 0 to 1). Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests were used to evaluate the association between exposure to e-cigarette marketing and susceptibility to future vaping, stratified by racial/ethnic group. Multiple logistic regressions assessed the association between exposure to e-cigarette marketing and susceptibility to future vaping, controlling for gender, sexual orientation, grade, and academic performance within each racial/ethnic group. Black adolescents reported significantly higher frequencies of exposure to e-cigarette marketing (p = 0.005). A significant interaction was found between exposure to e-cigarette marketing and racial/ethnic group (X2 (1) = 6.294, p = 0.012). Among Black adolescents, high exposure to e-cigarette marketing (vs. low exposure) was associated with a higher probability of susceptibility to future vaping (OR: 2.399, 95% CI 1.147-5.021, p = 0.020). For Latino adolescents, exposure to e-cigarette marketing was not associated with susceptibility to future vaping (OR: 0.503, 95% CI 0.245-1.03, p = 0.062). Future studies should evaluate how and where adolescents are exposed to e-cigarette marketing. Prevention efforts must include the implementation of effective counter-marketing campaigns and the reduction of exposure to e-cigarette marketing among Black and Latino adolescents.

Disparities in E-Cigarette Harm and Addiction Perceptions Among Adolescents in the United States: a Systematic Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Health disparities associated with e-cigarette use are increasingly apparent among US adolescents. Perceptions of e-cigarette harm and addiction play an important role in understanding adolescents' e-cigarette use behavior. The objective of this systematic review is to examine racial/ethnic and socio-economic disparities in e-cigarette harm and addiction perceptions among US adolescents.

METHODS

We searched five databases to identify cross-sectional or longitudinal studies that focused on adolescents (≤ 18 years of age) who were ever, current, or never e-cigarettes users; we then examined how race/ethnicity and/or socio-economic status (SES) impacted e-cigarette harm and/or addiction perceptions. Two co-authors independently identified relevant studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias.

RESULTS

Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, eight of 226 identified studies met the inclusion criteria. These eight studies examined either perceptions regarding absolute e-cigarette harm and/or addiction (i.e., assessing perception of only e-cigarette) or relative e-cigarette harm and/or addiction (i.e., comparative perceptions to traditional cigarettes) by race and ethnicity. Two of the eight studies assessed absolute harm and/or addiction perceptions of e-cigarettes by SES. Our results indicate that, compared to all other racial/ethnic groups, relative e-cigarette harm and addiction perceptions were lower among Non-Hispanic White adolescents; however, absolute e-cigarette harm perception was higher among these groups. No clear patterns of racial/ethnic differences in absolute e-cigarette addiction perceptions and SES differences in absolute e-cigarette harm perceptions were reported.

CONCLUSION

More research is needed to explicitly assess perceptions of e-cigarette harm and addiction among US adolescents by race/ethnicity and SES to develop subgroup appropriate public health messaging.

IQOS and cigarette advertising across regulatory periods and population groups in Israel: a longitudinal analysis

BACKGROUND

Tobacco regulation recently changed in Israel, including a partial advertisement ban. We assessed the impact of regulatory changes on Philip Morris International's (PMI) IQOS and cigarette advertisements.

METHODS

Weekly number of ads and weekly adspend of PMI's IQOS and cigarettes were analysed descriptively and using Quasi-Poisson regressions over time, across regulatory periods and in relation to subpopulations (general public, Arab, Russian and Ultra-Orthodox), from 25 December 2016 to 4 August 2020. Exponentiated coefficients (a value >1 indicates an increase) and 95% CIs are reported.

RESULTS

The average weekly number of ads and the average weekly adspend of IQOS were higher than cigarettes (42.22 vs 26.76 ads/week and 59 409 vs 45 613 new Israeli shekels/week; p<0.001 for both) during the study period, with exclusive IQOS advertisements during market penetration (December 2016 to May 2017). Variation in both outcomes was observed with regard to regulatory decisions. After the advertisement ban, there was a significant decrease in the weekly number of ads (IQOS: ß=0.04, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.20; cigarettes: ß=0.05, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.15) and weekly adspend (IQOS: ß=0.15, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.29; cigarettes: ß=0.31, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.53) for both products. The Ultra-Orthodox had significantly higher average weekly ads compared with the Arab population (IQOS: 0.67 vs 0.07; cigarettes: 2.74 vs 0.13; p=0.02 for both) but lower adspend.

CONCLUSIONS

IQOS and cigarette advertisements varied over time and appeared to have been impacted by regulatory changes. PMI invested more in IQOS advertisements than in cigarettes, with a partial advertisement ban decreasing both products' advertisements. PMI might be targeting the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish population which has a low smoking rate. Further research and surveillance are needed to better understand targeting strategies in order to inform tobacco control policy.

Disparities in Electronic Cigarette Use: A Narrative Review

The prevalence of electronic cigarette use has been declared an epidemic by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2018, particularly among youth aged 18-24 years old. Little is known about the differential use of e-cigarettes by different groups. PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were used to find relevant articles. A total of 77 articles were included. The extant literature reveals disparities in e-cigarette use by race/ethnicity and sexuality/gender. There are conflicting conclusions regarding disparities by socioeconomic status.

Awareness of electronic cigarette industry practices and their associations with anti-electronic cigarette attitudes among susceptible US young adults

BACKGROUND

Public education exposing cigarette industry practices have been effective in changing attitudes and preventing smoking among young people. It is unclear how much young adults are aware of e-cigarette industry practices, and how this awareness relates to anti-e-cigarette attitudes. We examined demographic correlates of awareness of e-cigarette industry practices and anti-e-cigarette attitudes, and the association between awareness of these practices with anti-e-cigarette attitudes.

METHODS

A US sample of young adults aged 18-30 years who do not use commercial tobacco products but are susceptible to e-cigarette use were cross-sectionally surveyed through online panel services from August 2021 to January 2022. Respondents reported their demographics, awareness of cigarette industry practices, awareness of e-cigarette industry practices and their level of agreement with four anti-e-cigarette attitude statements. We used multivariable linear regressions to examine demographic associations and the relationship between awareness of e-cigarette industry practices with each anti-e-cigarette attitude, adjusting for demographics and awareness of cigarette industry practices.

RESULTS

Generally, Hispanic and Black young adults (vs White) and those with

DISCUSSION

Public education exposing e-cigarette industry practices may promote anti-e-cigarette attitudes among susceptible young adults who do not use commercial tobacco products. Future research should investigate the utility of anti-e-cigarette industry messaging.

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Key Words

• Denormalization
• Electronic nicotine delivery devices
• Prevention

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MESH Headings Collapse

Grants

• R00 CA272919 NCI NIH HHS
• U54 CA267735 NCI NIH HHS
• ZIA MD000006 Intramural NIH HHS

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Affiliation(s)

Lilianna Phan Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, Maryland, USA Department of Community Health and Prevention, Dornsife School of Public Health and Division of Graduate Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Kelvin Choi Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

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Comparative analysis of e-cigarette prevalence and influencing factors among adolescents in Jiangsu Province, China

Objective

The objectives of this study were to investigate electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) and cigarette use in Jiangsu Province, China, by analyzing the two-year trends of e-cigarette using and to explore the factors influencing the experimentation and use of e-cigarettes.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study following the standard methodology of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey in 2019 and 2021. A three-stage cluster sampling design was applied. Eighty-two schools in 14 districts (counties) in Jiangsu Province were surveyed. All computations were performed using the SPSS 21.0 complex samples procedure. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the factors influencing e-cigarette experimentation and use.

Results

A total of 12,410 and 12,880 students were surveyed in 2019 and 2021, respectively. E-cigarette experimentation increased from 9.34% in 2019 to 13.07% in 2021 (P < 0.001). E-cigarette use increased from 2.23% in 2019 to 3.74% in 2021 (P < 0.001). The main factors associated with e-cigarette use were cigarette experimentation (OR = 2.700, P < 0.001); male gender (OR = 1.416, P = 0.011); junior high school students (OR = 1.551, P = 0.005) and vocational high school students (OR = 1.644, P = 0.001); more pocket money per week (OR1 = 1.214, P = 0.187; OR2 = 1.686, P = 0.001); exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) at home (OR = 1.239, P < 0.001); exposure to e-cigarette advertising (OR = 1.855, P < 0.001); believe SHS is harmful (OR = 0.933, P = 0.026); closest friends smoking (OR = 2.501, P < 0.001); believe smoking makes youth look more attractive (OR1 = 1.469, P = 0.040; OR2 = 1.305, P = 0.049); believe tobacco helps youth feel more comfortable in social situations (OR1 = 2.161, P < 0.001; OR2 = 1.635, P = 0.001); will use an e-cigarette product if offered by best friends (OR = 1.322, P < 0.001); intend to use an e-cigarette product in the next 12 months (OR = 1.486, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

E-cigarette use among adolescents has been on the rise in recent years. E-cigarette use is associated with past cigarette use and a strong desire to smoke. It is crucial to take health education and tobacco control efforts to reduce adolescents' e-cigarette use rate.

Association between e-cigarette use and asthma among US adolescents: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2015-2019

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have suggested that e-cigarette use, which has increased rapidly among US adolescents, may cause respiratory distress. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the factors associated with e-cigarette use and the relationship between e-cigarette use and asthma among US adolescents.

METHODS

Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify demographic and behavioral factors associated with e-cigarette use. Stratified analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between e-cigarette use and asthma among adolescents by previous combustible product use.

RESULTS

This study found that Hispanic adolescents had lower odds of e-cigarette use than White adolescents in Texas, with factors such as age, substance use, and depression being associated with use. In the US, male gender, previous combustible and substance use, and depression were associated with higher odds of ever using e-cigarettes, while current use was associated with several factors including age and White race. E-cigarette use was significantly associated with asthma among adolescents who have never used combustible products in both Texas and the entire US after adjusting for covariates (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.06-1.66 and OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02-1.37, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study can be used to inform public health strategies and policies aimed at reducing e-cigarette use and its associated health risks among adolescents.

U.S. young adults' awareness of the Master Settlement Agreement and cigarette industry practices and their associations with electronic cigarette industry and health risk perceptions

BACKGROUND

The lawsuit that led to the U.S. Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) exposed the cigarette industry's deceptive marketing practices, which changed population perceptions about the cigarette industry and helped prevent cigarette smoking. The cigarette industry now owns many electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) companies and make their own e-cigarettes. Given that the MSA occurred in previous decades, many millennial and generation Z young adults may not know about the MSA and the cigarette industry's marketing practices. It is unknown whether awareness about the MSA and cigarette industry practices may influence these young adults' e-cigarette industry and e-cigarette health risk perceptions, which may inform e-cigarette prevention efforts.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were collected from a U.S. sample of tobacco-naïve young adults, 18-30 years-old, susceptible to e-cigarette use (n = 1,329) through an online panel service in August 2021-January 2022. Participants reported their demographic characteristics, awareness of the MSA, awareness of cigarette industry practices, e-cigarette industry perceptions, and e-cigarette health risk perceptions. We examined the relationships between awareness of the MSA and cigarette industry practices with e-cigarette industry and e-cigarette health risk perceptions using multivariable linear regressions, adjusted for demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Overall, 36.2%, 24.1%, and 39.3% of participants had heard of the MSA and knew a lot about it, had heard of the MSA, but did not know much about it, and did not hear of the MSA, respectively. On average, participants were aware of 5.2 (SD = 3.0) of the 11 cigarette industry practices included. Hearing about the MSA and knowing a lot about it and awareness of more cigarette industry practices were associated with less positive e-cigarette industry and higher e-cigarette health risk perceptions, whereas having heard of the MSA but not knowing much about it was associated with more positive e-cigarette industry and lower e-cigarette health risk perceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that increasing comprehensive awareness of the MSA and cigarette industry practices may influence young adults' e-cigarette-related perceptions, and may importantly prevent detrimental information gaps about the cigarette industry. Future research should investigate the potential impact of increasing awareness of the MSA and cigarette industry practices in changing e-cigarette-related perceptions, which may help prevent e-cigarette use.

IQOS Use and Interest by Sociodemographic and Tobacco Behavior Characteristics among Adults in the US and Israel

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) have expanded globally. IQOS, a global HTP leader, was launched in Israel in 2016 and the US in 2019. To inform tobacco control efforts, it is critical to understand who is likely to use HTPs in different countries with distinct regulatory and marketing contexts. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among adult (ages 18-45) online panelists in the US (n = 1128) and Israel (n = 1094), oversampling tobacco users, in the fall of 2021, and used multivariable regression to identify correlates of (1) ever using IQOS; (2) past-month vs. former among ever users; and (3) interest in trying IQOS among never users. Among US adults, correlates of ever use included being Asian (aOR = 3.30) or Hispanic (aOR = 2.83) vs. White, and past-month use of cigarettes (aOR = 3.32), e-cigarettes (aOR = 2.67), and other tobacco (aOR = 3.34); in Israel, correlates included being younger (aOR = 0.97), male (aOR = 1.64), and cigarette (aOR = 4.01), e-cigarette (aOR = 1.92) and other tobacco use (aOR = 1.63). Among never users, correlates of greater interest included cigarette and e-cigarette use in the US (β = 0.57, β = 0.90) and Israel (β = 0.88, β = 0.92). IQOS use prevalence was low (US: 3.0%; Israel: 16.2%) but represented in vulnerable subpopulations (younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities).

E-cigarette Marketing Expenditures in the United States From 2016 to 2021: Targeted Media Outlets Geared Toward People Who Are at Increased Risk for Tobacco Use

INTRODUCTION

E-cigarette advertising exposure is linked to e-cigarette initiation and use. Thus, monitoring trends in e-cigarette advertising practices is important to understand e-cigarette use patterns observed over recent years.

AIMS AND METHODS

E-cigarette advertising expenditures (January 2016-July 2021; Numerator Ad Intel) for 154 U.S. market areas were harmonized with U.S. Census sociodemographic data through Nielsen zip code designations by market area. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regressions were used to examine trends in e-cigarette advertising expenditures across media outlets and associations between sociodemographic characteristics and e-cigarette advertising over time.

RESULTS

E-cigarette advertising expenditures peaked in 2018/2019, followed by a sharp decline in 2020. Expenditures were concentrated primarily on print (58.9%), TV (20.6%), and radio (14.4%). Major print outlets were Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone, and Star magazines. Top TV channels were AMC, Investigation Discovery, and TBS. TV advertisements were purchased commonly during popular movies and TV series (eg King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Walking Dead). Higher expenditures were associated with U.S. market areas that had (1) a larger percentage of non-rural zip codes (radio), (2) smaller male populations (radio), and (3) larger White or Caucasian, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Other or Multiracial populations (radio, print, online display, and online video).

CONCLUSIONS

E-cigarette companies advertised in print magazines geared toward males and youth and young adults, radio commercials focused in urban areas with smaller male populations, and nationwide TV commercials. Declines in e-cigarette advertising expenditures in 2020 demonstrate the potential impact that federal policies may have on protecting populations who are at higher risk for tobacco use from predatory advertising practices.

IMPLICATIONS

E-cigarette advertising exposure is associated with the initiation and use of e-cigarettes. This study shows how e-cigarette marketing expenditures in the United States may have targeted specific consumers (eg youth and young adults) between 2016 and 2021. The precipitous drop in advertising expenditures across all outlets during early 2020 corresponds with the implementation of the Tobacco 21 federal policy, the federal enforcement policy to remove most unauthorized flavored e-cigarette cartridges from the U.S. market, preparations for FDA's premarket review of e-cigarette products, and the decision by several TV broadcast companies to stop showing e-cigarette ads. The potential impact of federal policies may have far-reaching implications for protecting populations who are at high risk for tobacco use and its health consequences.

Perceived Substance Use Risks Among Never Users: Sexual Identity Differences in a Sample of U.S. Young Adults

INTRODUCTION

Lower perceived risk is a well-established risk factor for initiating substance use behaviors and an integral component of many health behavior theories. Established literature has shown that many substance use behaviors are more prevalent among individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual than among those who identify as heterosexual. However, potential differences in perceived risk by sexual identity among individuals with no lifetime use have not been well characterized to date.

METHODS

Data on 111,785 adults aged 18-34 years (including 11,377 lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults) were from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Perceived risks (classified as great risk versus less than great risk) were assessed with 11 National Survey on Drug Use and Health survey items regarding 6 different substances (alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and heroin). Survey-weighted and sex-stratified logistic regression models were used to estimate sexual identity differences regarding perceived great risk among those reporting no lifetime use. Analyses were conducted in 2021-2022.

RESULTS

Gay men, bisexual men, lesbian/gay women, and bisexual women were all significantly less likely than heterosexual peers to perceive great risk associated with specific marijuana, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and heroin use behaviors. Bisexual men and women were also significantly less likely than heterosexual peers to perceive great risk associated with binge drinking behaviors and smoking ≥1 packs of cigarettes daily.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel investigation among never users provides evidence that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults perceive significantly lower risks associated with multiple substance use behaviors than heterosexual adults, which may indicate important sexual identity differences in susceptibility to substance use initiation.

Predictors of past-year e-cigarette use among young adults

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Predictors of past-year e-cigarette use among young adults at age 30 were studied.

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Data was drawn from the Nicotine Dependence In Teens (NDIT) cohort.

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Male sex, friends smoke, tobacco and substance use, and impulsivity predicted use.

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Higher education and very good/excellent self-rated health were protective.

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These factors warrant consideration in public health efforts.

Understanding the underpinnings of e-cigarette use among young adults is critical to addressing increasing uptake. We identified predictors of past-year e-cigarette use among young adults in Montreal, Canada. Data on potential predictors were available for 714 young adults participating in the ongoing Nicotine Dependence in Teens Study at age 20 in 2007–08. Past-year e-cigarette use was measured at age 30 in 2017–20. Each potential predictor was studied in a separate multivariable logistic regression model controlling for age, sex, and educational attainment. Male sex, friends who smoke, cigarette smoking, use of other tobacco products, alcohol use, use of marijuana, and impulsivity predicted past-year e-cigarette use. Higher educational attainment and very good/excellent self-rated health were protective. Program and policy makers will need to consider these predictors of e-cigarette use in the design of clinical and public health interventions targeting e-cigarette use in young adults.

E-cigarette disparities: Who are the targets?

The tobacco industry has a long history of promoting health disparities especially through targeted marketing campaigns. The disparities perpetuated by e-cigarettes are just becoming apparent. This article will focus on disparities in e-cigarette usage within the following categories of youth: racial or ethnic groups, sexual and gender minoritized individuals, adolescents with asthma, teens with disabilities, and those coping with mental health stresses. Millions of youth are still using e-cigarettes, and e-cigarette use is disproportionately impacting White youth, youth who identify at lesbian, gay and transgender, and youth with disabilities. In addition, this article highlights the timeline of key tobacco regulations and recommended actions to curb the e-cigarette epidemic.