E-cigarette use on the rise among US adults across subgroups
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Between 2016 and 2018, the use of e-cigarettes increased among U.S. adults, with nearly 1 in 20 reporting daily or frequent use of vaping products, according to findings presented at the virtual American College of Cardiology scientific sessions.
Using the nationwide telephone-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, researchers identified 28,917 current e-cigarette users, which corresponded to 10.8 million U.S. adults (30% aged 18-34 years; 49% men; 63% white). Between 2016 and 2018, increases in e-cigarette use occurred in the following subgroups:
- adults aged 18 to 43 years (7.2% to 8.3%; P = .25);
- adults aged 45 to 54 years (3.9% to 5.2%; P = .003);
- smokeless tobacco users (9.2% to 16.2%; P = .03);
- heady alcohol users (8.6% to 10.5%; P = .28);
- former cigarette smokers (5.2% to 7.9%; P = .02);
- women (3.3% to 4.3%); and
- the overall population (4.3% to 4.8%).
Additionally, an increase occurred among individuals with less than $50,000 in yearly income (5% to 5.9%; P = .045).
“These results are not surprising given the increasing popularity in e-cigarette use in the U.S. where they have been popularized for recreational use among young adults and for smoking cessation among cigarette smokers,” Mahmoud Al Rifai, MD, MPH, cardiology fellow at Baylor College of Medicine, told Healio. “Since their introduction in the U.S. market almost a decade ago, e-cigarette use has increased dramatically, and this has been accompanied by a drop in cigarette use.”
For the survey, participants who reported daily e-cigarette use on some days were counted as current e-cigarette users.
“Future research is required to understand change in tobacco use patterns among e-cigarette users over time,” Al Rifai said in an interview. “These users should also be followed for possible adverse cardiopulmonary health effects. This information would be helpful for regulatory agencies and also for designing effective interventions aimed at educating e-cigarette users about the potential health effect of these products as well as aid in cessation of their use.” – by Scott Buzby
Reference:
Al Rifai M, et al. Abstract 1209-110. Presented at: American College of Cardiology Scientific Session; March 28-30, 2020 (virtual meeting).
Disclosure: Al Rifai reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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