TY - JOUR
T1 - E-cigarette use behaviors and device characteristics of daily exclusive e-cigarette users in Maryland
T2 - Implications for product toxicity
AU - Aherrera, Angela
AU - Aravindakshan, Atul
AU - Jarmul, Stephanie
AU - Olmedo, Pablo
AU - Chen, Rui
AU - Cohen, Joanna E.
AU - Navas Acien, Ana
AU - Rule, Ana M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Aherrera A. et al.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - INTRODUCTION Few studies to date have characterized daily exclusive e-cigarette users, device characteristics, and use behaviors. This study describes daily e-cigarette user characteristics, and assesses the association between user behaviors and demographics. METHODS From 2015-2017, 100 daily exclusive e-cigarette users and 50 nonusers were recruited in Maryland, USA. Sociodemographic characteristics, health status, e-cigarette/tobacco use behaviors, device characteristics, and reasons for e-cigarette use were collected by interview. Chi-squared tests (categorical variables), Student's t-test (continuous variables), and linear regressions were used to assess relationships between variables. RESULTS Most daily exclusive e-cigarette users were men, White, former smokers, used MODs/tanks, and vaped on average 365 puffs/day (SD: 720). A third of users first vaped within 5 minutes of waking in the morning, and 56% vaped throughout the day. E-liquid consumption ranged from 5-240 mL/week (median: 32.5), with nicotine concentration 0-24 mg/mL (median: 3). E-cigarette users were more likely to report wheezing/whistling and hypertension than controls, although the finding was not statistically significant after adjustment. Less than half planned to quit vaping. CONCLUSIONS Daily e-cigarette users between 2015-2017 most commonly vaped MOD/tank devices. Being male and of lower education was associated with higher usage. Daily users with no intention to quit may be at risk for increased exposure to emissions from e-cigarettes that include inorganic (metals) and organic (e.g. acrolein, formaldehyde) compounds with known toxic effects, particularly to the lung. Further research is needed to characterize the long-term health effects of daily e-cigarette use.
AB - INTRODUCTION Few studies to date have characterized daily exclusive e-cigarette users, device characteristics, and use behaviors. This study describes daily e-cigarette user characteristics, and assesses the association between user behaviors and demographics. METHODS From 2015-2017, 100 daily exclusive e-cigarette users and 50 nonusers were recruited in Maryland, USA. Sociodemographic characteristics, health status, e-cigarette/tobacco use behaviors, device characteristics, and reasons for e-cigarette use were collected by interview. Chi-squared tests (categorical variables), Student's t-test (continuous variables), and linear regressions were used to assess relationships between variables. RESULTS Most daily exclusive e-cigarette users were men, White, former smokers, used MODs/tanks, and vaped on average 365 puffs/day (SD: 720). A third of users first vaped within 5 minutes of waking in the morning, and 56% vaped throughout the day. E-liquid consumption ranged from 5-240 mL/week (median: 32.5), with nicotine concentration 0-24 mg/mL (median: 3). E-cigarette users were more likely to report wheezing/whistling and hypertension than controls, although the finding was not statistically significant after adjustment. Less than half planned to quit vaping. CONCLUSIONS Daily e-cigarette users between 2015-2017 most commonly vaped MOD/tank devices. Being male and of lower education was associated with higher usage. Daily users with no intention to quit may be at risk for increased exposure to emissions from e-cigarettes that include inorganic (metals) and organic (e.g. acrolein, formaldehyde) compounds with known toxic effects, particularly to the lung. Further research is needed to characterize the long-term health effects of daily e-cigarette use.
KW - Device characteristics
KW - E-cigarettes
KW - Health implications
KW - Nicotine
KW - Use patterns and behaviors
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U2 - 10.18332/tid/128319
DO - 10.18332/tid/128319
M3 - Article
C2 - 33209101
AN - SCOPUS:85100196352
SN - 1617-9625
VL - 18
SP - 1
EP - 10
JO - Tobacco Induced Diseases
JF - Tobacco Induced Diseases
IS - November
ER -