E-cigarette Device Type, Source, and Use Behaviors of Youth and Young Adults: Findings from the Truth Longitudinal Cohort (2020-2021)

Abstract

Background: E-cigarette device types vary in the amount of nicotine delivered to users. Given that youth and young adults are using pod-based and disposable e-cigarettes with high nicotine concentrations, it is important to determine how e-cigarette use behaviors associated with nicotine dependence may differ across e-cigarette device type. Methods: Baseline information was collected from September 2020 to March 2021 and follow-up information was collected from July to October 2021 from the Truth Longitudinal Cohort. The final analytic sample included respondents (aged 15-24) who reported current use of e-cigarettes at either baseline or follow-up and provided information on the 4-item E-cigarette Dependence Scale (EDS). Differences in endorsement of items from the EDS by e-cigarette device type (pod-based, disposable, or tank) were assessed using chi-square tests. Results: Participants (N = 308) were evenly split on age (15-20, 21+) and gender. Most 15-20-year-olds used disposable e-cigarettes, while those 21+ years primarily used tank devices. Although EDS score did not differ by e-cigarette device type, positive endorsement of two items from the EDS significantly differed by e-cigarette device type. More tank users endorsed reaching for a device without thinking about it (tank: 92.6%; pod-based: 79.0%; disposables: 79.9%, p = 0.04) and vaping more before going into a situation where vaping is not allowed (tank: 92.9%; pod-based: 71.0%; disposables: 73.0%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Findings have the potential to inform policy implementation by providing evidence for specific targets for regulatory action that can help to reduce the burdens of e-cigarette use among youth and young adults, as results suggest that tank device users are more likely to endorse use behaviors associated with nicotine dependence.

Keywords: E-cigarette; behavior; longitudinal cohort; youth and young adults.

Figure 1.

E-cigarette Dependence Item Scores by Device Type and Age. Note. *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01. Items 1–4 correspond with the following: (1) I find myself reaching for my e-cigarette/vape without thinking about it, (2) I drop everything to go out and get e-cigarettes / vapes or e-juice, (3) I vape more before going into a situation where vaping is not allowed, and (4) When I haven’t been able to vape for a few hours, the cravings get intolerable.