Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Susceptibility, Use, and Intended Future Use of Different E-Cigarette Devices

Abstract

Numerous studies have identified sociodemographic factors associated with susceptibility, ever-use and past-30-day use of e-cigarettes, including JUUL. However, it remains unknown which sociodemographic factors are associated with adolescents’ and young adults’ (AYA) use of the entire spectrum of different types of e-cigarette devices (e.g., disposables, pod/cartridge-based, and other e-cigarettes, like mods or tanks). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and use, future use intent and susceptibility to use different e-cigarette device types. We conducted a national online survey using a convenience sample of 13–24-year-olds, 50:50 e-cigarette ever- to never-users and sex and race/ethnicity balanced per the U.S. Census (n = 4351). Sociodemographic factors were not associated with ever use of disposables among AYAs or generally with intent to use e-cigarette devices in the future. However, sociodemographic factors were related to the use of pod/cartridge-based and other e-cigarette devices. LGBTQ+ AYAs were more likely to use pod/cartridge-based devices and to be susceptible to using all device types compared to other AYAs. Young adults, males, and other/multiracial non-Hispanic AYAs were more likely to report past-30-day-use of all devices and AA/Black non-Hispanic AYAs were more likely to report past-30-day use of pod/cartridge-based and other devices compared to former users. AA/Black non-Hispanic AYAs were more likely to be susceptible to using all devices and other/multiracial non-Hispanic AYAs were susceptible to using other devices (compared to White non-Hispanic AYAs). AYAs under 21 who were former users were more likely to intend using other devices in the future compared to AYAs 21 years or above. These findings may inform targeted prevention efforts to curb the growing popularity of different devices among AYAs.

Heterogeneity in sociodemographic characteristics of people who use different ENDS devices

“…This study provides some evidence to inform regulations of ENDS device and liquid characteristics and interventions for people with specific attributes. We found that, in 2023, the group of women who are younger and LGBTQ + was more likely to use non-adjustable disposable devices with a nicotine salt liquid such as Elf Bar, however, a study in 2020 found that people aged 13-24who identified as LGBTQ + were more likely to use disposable pods ( Gaiha et al, 2022 ). The inconsistent findings may be attributed to the rapidly changing ENDS market.…”

Text mining tweets on e-cigarette risks and benefits using machine learning following a vaping related lung injury outbreak in the USA

“…As only tweets in English were included, it is likely that people of White ethnic origin were overrepresented for tweets in both countries. Indeed, previous studies have reported complex, and sometimes subtle, differences in ENDS perceptions, intentions and use among people of different ethnicities [50] , [51] . Though we explored the relative presence of bot-like users among tweet topics, we did not exclude bots meaning the topics derived may not wholly represent those discussed by genuine Twitter users.…”

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

“…Further research can examine additional individual and social factors associated with susceptibility to future vaping among Latino adolescents to inform future prevention and intervention actions. Such factors could include intention to use e-cigarettes, normative beliefs, social acceptability, friendship network exposure, and low socioeconomic status, which have previously been identified as significant predictors of e-cigarette use initiation and susceptibility to future vaping [38,40,41].…”