Grace Kong1, Krysten W Bold2, Meghan E Morean3, Harmanpreet Bhatti4, Deepa R Camenga5, Asti Jackson2, Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin2. 1. Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA. Electronic address: Grace.kong@yale.edu. 2. Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA. 3. Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA; Oberlin College, 120 West Lorain Street, Oberlin, OH, 44074, USA. 4. Yale University School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA. 5. Yale University School of Medicine, 464 Congress Avenue (Suite 260), New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: JUUL is a closed-system e-cigarette that uses disposable pods with high concentrations of nicotine. JUUL use among youth arose exponentially since 2015, thus, it is essential to understand youths' reasons for liking/disliking JUUL to inform the regulation of the product. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 4 high schools in Connecticut in 2018 (N = 3170). The survey assessed JUUL use in the past month and reasons for liking/disliking JUUL, which included pharmacological effects (e.g., subjective nicotine and/or flavor effects), product characteristics (e.g., flavors, nicotine, shape), peer influence (e.g., friends' use), comparisons to other e-cigarettes (e.g., lower harm), and concealability (e.g., hide from authority). RESULTS: 30.2% (N = 956) were past-month users who used a JUUL on an average of 13.6 days (SD = 11.7; 25% reported daily use). The top reasons for liking JUUL were: "it gives me a buzz" (52%), "I like the flavors" (43%), and "my friends use it" (36%). The top reasons for disliking JUUL were: "the pods are expensive" (57%), "nicotine is too high" (20%), and "it gives me a headache" (18%). Regression models indicated that liking JUUL because of the buzz, ability to help concentrate, nicotine level, and ease of hiding it from teachers were associated with more days of use in the past month, while peer influence was negatively associated. Furthermore, disliking the high cost of pods was associated with more frequent use. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive policies that regulate device characteristics that appeal to youth (e.g., nicotine level, flavors) are needed to prevent JUUL use among youth.
INTRODUCTION:JUUL is a closed-system e-cigarette that uses disposable pods with high concentrations of nicotine. JUUL use among youth arose exponentially since 2015, thus, it is essential to understand youths' reasons for liking/disliking JUUL to inform the regulation of the product. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 4 high schools in Connecticut in 2018 (N = 3170). The survey assessed JUUL use in the past month and reasons for liking/disliking JUUL, which included pharmacological effects (e.g., subjective nicotine and/or flavor effects), product characteristics (e.g., flavors, nicotine, shape), peer influence (e.g., friends' use), comparisons to other e-cigarettes (e.g., lower harm), and concealability (e.g., hide from authority). RESULTS: 30.2% (N = 956) were past-month users who used a JUUL on an average of 13.6 days (SD = 11.7; 25% reported daily use). The top reasons for liking JUUL were: "it gives me a buzz" (52%), "I like the flavors" (43%), and "my friends use it" (36%). The top reasons for disliking JUUL were: "the pods are expensive" (57%), "nicotine is too high" (20%), and "it gives me a headache" (18%). Regression models indicated that liking JUUL because of the buzz, ability to help concentrate, nicotine level, and ease of hiding it from teachers were associated with more days of use in the past month, while peer influence was negatively associated. Furthermore, disliking the high cost of pods was associated with more frequent use. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive policies that regulate device characteristics that appeal to youth (e.g., nicotine level, flavors) are needed to prevent JUUL use among youth.
Authors: Asti Jackson; Grace Kong; Ran Wu; Meghan E Morean; Danielle R Davis; Deepa R Camenga; Dana A Cavallo; Krysten W Bold; Patricia Simon; Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2020-06-21 Impact factor: 3.913
Authors: Dale S Mantey; Kathleen R Case; Onyinye Omega-Njemnobi; Andrew E Springer; Steven H Kelder Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2021-09-24 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Allison L Groom; Thanh-Huyen T Vu; Robyn L Landry; Anshula Kesh; Joy L Hart; Kandi L Walker; Lindsey A Wood; Rose Marie Robertson; Thomas J Payne Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-24 Impact factor: 3.390