M L Saddleson1, L T Kozlowski2, G A Giovino2, M L Goniewicz3, M C Mahoney4, G G Homish2, A Arora2. 1. University at Buffalo, State University of New York, School of Public Health and Health Professions, Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, Buffalo, NY, USA. Electronic address: mls38@buffalo.edu. 2. University at Buffalo, State University of New York, School of Public Health and Health Professions, Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, Buffalo, NY, USA. 3. Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Department of Health Behavior, Buffalo, NY, USA. 4. University at Buffalo, State University of New York, School of Public Health and Health Professions, Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, Buffalo, NY, USA; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine and Department of Health Behavior, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Young people are more likely to have experimented with e-cigarettes (e-cigs) compared with older adults. Few studies identify reasons for experimentation/use of e-cigs among young people; we sought to discover what drives college students to use e-cigs. METHODS: Undergraduate students (ages 18-23) at four universities in New York State were surveyed. Among e-cig ever users (n=429), reasons for use were examined. A multinomial logistic regression model analyzed the relative risk of reasons for using e-cigs among discontinued, current non-daily and current daily e-cig users. RESULTS: Using e-cigs for enjoyment was associated with current non-daily (RR=2.11, 95% CI=1.18-3.75) and current daily use (RR=19.1, 95% CI=3.71-98.54). Non-daily use was related to use because e-cigs are less toxic than cigarettes (RR=2.80, 95% CI=1.75-4.50). More daily users reported use to quit smoking compared with either non-daily or discontinued users (53.3% vs. 12.2% and 13.3%, respectively; p<0.05). Among current users, 72.3% used for enjoyment, compared with 42.9% of discontinued users (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: In contrast to adults, who often report e-cig use to quit smoking, young people are less likely to use for this reason. The exception was daily e-cig users, who often reported use for quitting/reduction of smoking. Rather, college students report usage reasons related to affect (e.g. enjoyment). Overall, enjoyment was reported more often than was use for quitting smoking; affective reasons likely play a role in the popularity of e-cigs and should be considered in future assessments of e-cig users.
BACKGROUND: Young people are more likely to have experimented with e-cigarettes (e-cigs) compared with older adults. Few studies identify reasons for experimentation/use of e-cigs among young people; we sought to discover what drives college students to use e-cigs. METHODS: Undergraduate students (ages 18-23) at four universities in New York State were surveyed. Among e-cig ever users (n=429), reasons for use were examined. A multinomial logistic regression model analyzed the relative risk of reasons for using e-cigs among discontinued, current non-daily and current daily e-cig users. RESULTS: Using e-cigs for enjoyment was associated with current non-daily (RR=2.11, 95% CI=1.18-3.75) and current daily use (RR=19.1, 95% CI=3.71-98.54). Non-daily use was related to use because e-cigs are less toxic than cigarettes (RR=2.80, 95% CI=1.75-4.50). More daily users reported use to quit smoking compared with either non-daily or discontinued users (53.3% vs. 12.2% and 13.3%, respectively; p<0.05). Among current users, 72.3% used for enjoyment, compared with 42.9% of discontinued users (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: In contrast to adults, who often report e-cig use to quit smoking, young people are less likely to use for this reason. The exception was daily e-cig users, who often reported use for quitting/reduction of smoking. Rather, college students report usage reasons related to affect (e.g. enjoyment). Overall, enjoyment was reported more often than was use for quitting smoking; affective reasons likely play a role in the popularity of e-cigs and should be considered in future assessments of e-cig users.
Authors: Elizabeth A Mumford; Frances A Stillman; Erin Tanenbaum; Nathan J Doogan; M E Roberts; M E Wewers; Devi Chelluri Journal: J Rural Health Date: 2018-11-14 Impact factor: 4.333
Authors: Laura A Gibson; MeLisa R Creamer; Alison B Breland; Aida Luz Giachello; Annette Kaufman; Grace Kong; Terry F Pechacek; Jessica K Pepper; Eric K Soule; Bonnie Halpern-Felsher Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2017-11-20 Impact factor: 3.913