Abstract
Abstract
Background
Research that comprehensively documents preferences for different types of novel nicotine products in Australia is lacking, making it difficult for policymakers to determine where public health efforts should be focused. This study thus sought to explore Australian adolescent and adult e-cigarette users’ preferences for different types of e-cigarettes and e-liquids. Purchasing behaviours and sources of e-liquid were also examined.
Methods
An online survey was administered to 4,617 Australians aged 12 + years, 636 of whom had used an e-cigarette in the last 30 days and were the focus of this study. Among users, 45% also smoked tobacco cigarettes, 41% were non-smokers, and 14% had never smoked.
Results
The majority (82%) of e-cigarette users surveyed reported using nicotine-containing e-liquid in their devices. Fewer (60%) reported using non-nicotine e-liquid. The preference for nicotine over non-nicotine e-liquid was observed among all age and smoking groups. Most users (89%) reported using flavoured e-liquids, with adolescents (96%) significantly more likely than young adults (90%) and adults aged 25 + years (85%) to report using such e-liquids. Fruit flavours were the most popular among all subgroups. In terms of device type, disposable e-cigarettes were the most common product used among almost all groups; the exception being adults aged 25 + years who preferred systems with refillable tanks. Friends and tobacco retailers were the most frequently nominated sources of nicotine e-liquid among adolescents and young adults. Among adults aged 25 + years, tobacco retailers and the Internet were the most frequently nominated sources of these products.
Conclusion
Disposable e-cigarettes with flavoured, nicotine-containing e-liquid are popular among users of the devices, including adolescents. Measures that restrict the accessibility and availability of flavoured e-liquids and disposable e-cigarettes, and greater enforcement of laws regarding the sale and importation of nicotine e-liquids, are urgently needed to protect youth and never smokers from these products.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Reference33 articles.
1. World Health Organization. Report on the scientific basis of tobacco product regulation: eighth report of a WHO study group. Geneva: WHO; 2021.
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019: Tobacco chapter - Online data Table 2020.
3. World Health Organization. WHO Report on the global Tobacco Epidemic, 2021: addressing new and emerging products. Geneva: WHO; 2021.
4. National Health and Medical Research Council. 2022 CEO Statement on Electronic Cigarettes. Australia: NHMRC; 2022.
5. Ruprecht AA, De Marco C, Saffari A, Pozzi P, Mazza R, Veronese C, et al. Environmental pollution and emission factors of electronic cigarettes, heat-not-burn tobacco products, and conventional cigarettes. Aerosol Sci Technol. 2017;51(6):674–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2017.1300231.
Cited by
11 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献