Scientific Publications by FDA Staff

Nicotine Tob Res 2015 Feb;17(2):228-35

Intentions to smoke cigarettes among never-smoking U.S. middle and high school electronic cigarette users, National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2011-2013.

Bunnell RE, Agaku IT, Arrazola R, Apelberg BJ, Caraballo RS, Corey CG, Coleman B, Dube SR, King BA

INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasing rapidly and their impact on youth is unknown. We assessed associations between e-cigarette use and smoking intentions among U.S. youth who had never smoked conventional cigarettes. METHODS: We analyzed data from the nationally representative 2011, 2012, and 2013 National Youth Tobacco Surveys of students in grades 6-12. Youth reporting they would definitely not smoke in the next year or if offered a cigarette by a friend were defined as not having an intention to smoke, while all others were classified as having positive intention to smoke conventional cigarettes. Demographics, pro-tobacco advertisement exposure, ever use of e-cigarettes, and ever use of other combustibles (cigars, hookah, bidis, kreteks, and pipes) and non-combustibles (chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, snus, and dissolvables) were included in multivariate analyses assessing associations with smoking intentions among never-cigarette-smoking youth. RESULTS: Between 2011-2013, the number of never-smoking youth who used e-cigarettes increased three-fold, from 79,000 to over 263,000. Intention to smoke conventional cigarettes was 43.9% among ever e-cigarette users and 21.5% among never users. Ever e-cigarette users had higher adjusted odds of having smoking intentions than never users (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.70, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.24-2.32). Those who ever used other combustibles, ever used non-combustibles, or reported pro-tobacco advertisement exposure also had increased odds of smoking intentions. CONCLUSION: In 2013, over a quarter million never-smoking youth had used e-cigarettes. E-cigarette use was associated with increased intentions to smoke cigarettes. Enhanced prevention efforts for youth are important for all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes.