Trends in E-Cigarette, Cigarette, Cigar, and Smokeless Tobacco Use Among US Adolescent Cohorts, 2014–2018

Abstract

Objectives. To examine changes in age of initiation of e-cigarette, cigarette, cigar, and smokeless tobacco use among adolescents in the United States. Methods. We used data from 5 cohorts of the National Youth Tobacco Survey (2014–2018; n = 26 662). Results. In 2014, 8.8% of lifetime e-cigarette users initiated use at 14 years or younger, as compared with 28.6% of lifetime e-cigarette users in 2018. There was no such change in initiation ages for cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco among lifetime users of each of these products. Conclusions. US adolescents are initiating e-cigarette use at younger ages in recent years. This is concerning given the association of e-cigarette use with subsequent cigarette use. Continued surveillance of these trends and additional prospective research are needed. Tobacco prevention programs, policies, and regulations that make it more difficult for youths to obtain e-cigarettes are warranted.