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Changes in e-cigarette use among youth and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
Insights into risk perceptions and reasons for changing use behavior
Bennett, M., Speer, J., Taylor, N., & Alexander, T. (2023). Changes in e-cigarette use among youth and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights into risk perceptions and reasons for changing use behavior. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 25(2), 350-355. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntac136
INTRODUCTION: This study assessed changes in e-cigarette use since the COVID-19 pandemic began and reasons for these changes among U.S. youth and young adults.
METHODS: We combined data from two cross-sectional samples of youth and young adult (15-24) participants of a monthly surveillance study (data collected April and June 2021). Analyses were restricted to past-year e-cigarette users who reported using e-cigarettes before the pandemic (n=1,762). Participants reported changes in e-cigarette use since the pandemic began, reasons for changing their behavior, and their perceptions around COVID-19 risk related to e-cigarette use. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed associations between demographics and COVID vaping risk perceptions and change in e-cigarette use.
RESULTS: Over a third of the sample (37.9%) reported increasing e-cigarette use, while 28.9% reported decreasing use, and 33.1% reported no change. Analyses revealed associations between change in e-cigarette use and age, race/ethnicity, e-cigarette use status and COVID vaping risk perceptions. The most common reason for increasing use was managing stress (36%); the most common reasons for decreasing use included fewer social interactions (22%) and concerns over general health (18%). Results also indicated differences in reasons for decreasing use by race/ethnicity, and differences in reasons for both increasing and decreasing use by age.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides recent data on how the ongoing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic has impacted youth and young adults' e-cigarette use. Findings identify subpopulations that may benefit from e-cigarette prevention interventions, as well as insights that may inform the content and delivery of such interventions.
IMPLICATIONS: This study provides recent insights into if and why the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted e-cigarette use behavior among youth and young adults. Findings contribute to the understanding of the role e-cigarettes play in young people's lives - insights that can inform youth and young adult prevention efforts.