E-cigarette usage has changed

May 15, 2018|Internal Medicine

FROM JAMA

Adults were more likely to try e-cigarettes in 2016 than they were in 2014, but they were less likely to use them regularly, according to a study published online on May 15 by JAMA.

The prevalence of ever use of e-cigarettes among adults aged 18 years and older rose significantly from 12.6% in 2014 to 15.3% in 2016, while the prevalence of current use (defined as use every day or some days) decreased significantly from 3.7% to 3.2% over that same period, suggesting “that some individuals are trying but not continuing use of e-cigarettes,” Wei Bao, MD, PhD, and his associates said in a research letter.

The patterns of increased ever use and decreased current use held for most age-, gender-, and race/ethnicity-related subgroups, although “current use of e-cigarettes declined among current smokers but increased among former smokers. This pattern may reflect e-cigarette use as adults are transitioning from current to former smokers, but further investigation is warranted,” wrote Dr. Bao of the University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, and his associates.

None of the investigators reported any conflicts of interest.

rfranki@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Bao W et al. JAMA. 2018 May 15;319(19):2039-41.