B Dautzenberg1, M-A de Souza Moura2, N Rieu3, M-D Dautzenberg2, P Birkui2. 1. Association Paris sans tabac, 7, rue du Château-d'eau, 75010 Paris, France; Université médicale Pierre et Marie-Curie, hôpitaux universitaires Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles-Foix, APHP, 47-83, boulevard de l'hôpital, 75013 Paris, France. Electronic address: bdautz@gmail.com. 2. Association Paris sans tabac, 7, rue du Château-d'eau, 75010 Paris, France. 3. Rectorat de l'académie de Paris, 94, avenue Gambetta, 75020 Paris, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To analyze experimentation with and use of e-cigarette by middle school and high school students in Paris. METHOD: Since 2012, questions about e-cigarette use have been included in the cross-sectional survey on tobacco that is administered annually since 1991 by the Paris sans tabac association. Overall, 2% of the 12-19 years-old attending school in Paris were surveyed. RESULTS: Of the 10,051 teenagers aged 12-19 surveyed in 2012-2014, 21.8% (n=2194) had tried e-cigarettes. Among these experimenters, 58.9% (n=1292) were smokers, 37.4% (n=820) were non-smokers and 3.7% (n=82) were ex-smokers. From 2012 to 2014, the rate of e-cigarette experimenters increased significantly (from 7.9% to 26.3% for 12-15 years and from 12.2% to 47.2% for 16-19 years-old). The rate of regular e-cigarettes users increased in the same proportion. However over this time, there has been a decline from 15.3% to 10.9% in the rate of 12-15 year old smokers (regular or occasional) and from 38.3% to 33.5% of smokers aged 16-19. Other consumption (cannabis, alcohol abuse) also decreased but no causal relationship can be established. CONCLUSION: The annual doubling of e-cigarette experimentation and regular use rates has been associated with a decrease in the consumption of tobacco and other products. These data should provide some reassurance against fears that e-cigarette use among young people will provide a significant gateway to tobacco smoking.
OBJECTIVES: To analyze experimentation with and use of e-cigarette by middle school and high school students in Paris. METHOD: Since 2012, questions about e-cigarette use have been included in the cross-sectional survey on tobacco that is administered annually since 1991 by the Paris sans tabac association. Overall, 2% of the 12-19 years-old attending school in Paris were surveyed. RESULTS: Of the 10,051 teenagers aged 12-19 surveyed in 2012-2014, 21.8% (n=2194) had tried e-cigarettes. Among these experimenters, 58.9% (n=1292) were smokers, 37.4% (n=820) were non-smokers and 3.7% (n=82) were ex-smokers. From 2012 to 2014, the rate of e-cigarette experimenters increased significantly (from 7.9% to 26.3% for 12-15 years and from 12.2% to 47.2% for 16-19 years-old). The rate of regular e-cigarettes users increased in the same proportion. However over this time, there has been a decline from 15.3% to 10.9% in the rate of 12-15 year old smokers (regular or occasional) and from 38.3% to 33.5% of smokers aged 16-19. Other consumption (cannabis, alcohol abuse) also decreased but no causal relationship can be established. CONCLUSION: The annual doubling of e-cigarette experimentation and regular use rates has been associated with a decrease in the consumption of tobacco and other products. These data should provide some reassurance against fears that e-cigarette use among young people will provide a significant gateway to tobacco smoking.