The Vaping and Patterns of e-Cigarette Use Research Study: Protocol for a Web-Based Cohort Study

Abstract

Background In total, 3.2% of American adults report using e-cigarettes every day or some days. The Vaping and Patterns of E-cigarette Use Research (VAPER) Study is a web-based longitudinal survey designed to observe patterns in device and liquid use that suggest the benefits and unintended consequences of potential e-cigarette regulations. The heterogeneity of the e-cigarette devices and liquids on the market, the customizability of the devices and liquids, and the lack of standardized reporting requirements result in unique measurement challenges. Furthermore, bots and survey takers who submit falsified responses are threats to data integrity that require mitigation strategies. Objective This paper aims to describe the protocols for 3 waves of the VAPER Study and discuss recruitment and data processing experiences and lessons learned, including the benefits and limitations of bot- and fraudulent survey taker–related strategies. Methods American adults (aged ≥21 years) who use e-cigarettes ≥5 days per week are recruited from up to 404 Craigslist catchment areas covering all 50 states. The questionnaire measures and skip logic are designed to accommodate marketplace heterogeneity and user customization (eg, different skip logic pathways for different device types and customizations). To reduce reliance on self-report data, we also require participants to submit a photo of their device. All data are collected using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture; Vanderbilt University). Incentives are US $10 Amazon gift codes delivered by mail to new participants and electronically to returning participants. Those lost to follow-up are replaced. Several strategies are applied to maximize the odds that participants who receive incentives are not bots and are likely to possess an e-cigarette (eg, required identity check and photo of a device). Results In total, 3 waves of data were collected between 2020 and 2021 (wave 1: n=1209; wave 2: n=1218; wave 3: n=1254). Retention from waves 1 to 2 was 51.94% (628/1209), and 37.55% (454/1209) of the wave 1 sample completed all 3 waves. These data were mostly generalizable to daily e-cigarette users in the United States, and poststratification weights were generated for future analyses. Our data offer a detailed examination of users’ device features and specifications, liquid characteristics, and key behaviors, which can provide more insights into the benefits and unintended consequences of potential regulations. Conclusions Relative to existing e-cigarette cohort studies, this study methodology has some advantages, including efficient recruitment of a lower-prevalence population and collection of detailed data relevant to tobacco regulatory science (eg, device wattage). The web-based nature of the study requires several bot- and fraudulent survey taker–related risk-mitigation strategies, which can be time-intensive. When these risks are addressed, web-based cohort studies can be successful. We will continue to explore methods for maximizing recruitment efficiency, data quality, and participant retention in subsequent waves. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/38732

Device and liquid characteristics used with sweet, menthol/mint, and tobacco ENDS liquid flavors: The population-based VAPER study

“…The sample was generally similar to that of the nationally representative 2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS) in sociodemographic information; ( Hardesty et al, 2023 ) however, post-stratification survey weights for gender/age/race were developed and implemented based on data from the 2019 TUS-CPS to ensure our sample was representative of U.S. adult frequent ENDS users.…”

Decisions of the FDA on premarket tobacco product applications: Changes in the number of unique devices and liquids used by US adults who frequently use electronic nicotine delivery systems, 2020–2023

“…The substantial sample size of this study is one strength of these analyses. Additionally, the VAPER sample closely resembles the national sample of adults who use ENDS daily, captured by the 2019 TUS-CPS 11 . The data reported here were captured directly from participant photos of their devices and liquids and from manufacturer, academic, retail, and review sites; therefore, these data are only as accurate as the photos and sites utilized for coding.…”

“…Rigorous data review and cleaning procedures were employed to ensure high quality data. Additional information about study protocols, including data review, is available elsewhere 11 ; of note, the VAPER sample is similar to the nationally representative sample of adults frequently using ENDS in the 2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS) in regard to gender, race, age, and region, though the VAPER sample includes a larger proportion of lower income individuals 11 .…”

Heterogeneity in sociodemographic characteristics of people who use different ENDS devices

“…This study used wave 5 (February-April 2023) data (n = 1290) of the Vaping and Patterns of E-cigarette Use Research (VAPER) study, a longitudinal cohort study among U.S. adults (age 21 + ) using ENDS at least 5 days/week. Details about the VAPER Study methodology have been reported ( Hardesty et al, 2023 ). Adults were recruited to participate in an online survey hosted by REDCap and were asked to report their ENDS use behaviors.…”