Adoption of Vaping Cessation Methods by US Adolescent E-Cigarette Users

Abstract

BACKGROUND A large number of adolescent e-cigarette users intend to quit vaping or have past-year quit attempts. However, it remains unknown which methods they use in their vaping cessation efforts. METHODS We analyzed current (past 30-day) e-cigarette users who made ≥1 quit attempt in the past 12 months from the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) to examine the prevalence and associations of sociodemographic factors, vaping behaviors, and harm perception with the adoption of different vaping cessation methods. RESULTS In the 2021 NYTS, there were 1436 current vapers, and 889 (67.9%) had made a past-year quit attempt. Of those, 575 (63.7%) (weighted N = 810 000) reported they did not use any resources (unassisted quitting). Peer support (14.2%), help on the Internet (6.4%), a mobile app or text messaging (5.9%), and parent support (5.8%) were the top 4 cessation methods. Female (versus male) vapers were less likely to solicit parent support (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.2; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.1–0.5), whereas Hispanic (versus White) vapers were more likely to seek friend support (AOR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1–3.9) and parent support (AOR, 2.7, 95% CI, 1.2–6.3). Those who perceived vaping to be harmful were less likely to get friend support, but more likely to use a mobile app or text messaging program. Dual users of e-cigarettes and any other tobacco product were more likely to get help from a teacher/coach or a doctor/health care provider and treatment from medical facilities than sole e-cigarette users. CONCLUSIONS There were different correlates with the adoption of vaping cessation methods, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to meet the cessation needs and preferences of the adolescent vaping population.