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

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This study assessed changes in e-cigarette use since the COVID-19 pandemic began and reasons for these changes among US youth and young adults. Aims and Methods We combined data from two cross-sectional samples of youth and young adult (15–24 years) participants of a monthly surveillance study (data collected in April and June 2021). Analyses were restricted to past-year e-cigarette users who reported using e-cigarettes before the pandemic (n = 1762). 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 changes 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 and 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 and 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.