Longitudinal associations between receiving E-cigarette price promotions and subsequent E-cigarette use among U.S. Young adult cigarette smokers. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elhabashy, Maryam; Wackowski, Olivia A.; Mercincavage, Melissa; Cruz-Cano, Raul; Abadi, Melissa H.; Ozga, Jenny E.; Stanton, Cassandra A.; Chen-Sankey, Julia
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 138(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: E-cigarettes -- Price promotions -- Cigarette smoking -- Smoking cessation -- Young adults -- Harm reduction -- PATH study; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107549
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: A U.S. national sample of young adult cigarette smokers who did not use e-cigs. Receiving e-cig price promotions was associated with e-cig use at 1-year follow-up. It was also associated with e-cig use to quit smoking cigarettes at 1-year follow-up. Abstract: Introduction: E-cigarette price promotions (EPPs; i.e., marketed reductions in cost) may influence young adult cigarette smokers to try, dual use with, or completely transition to e-cigarettes. We assessed whether receiving EPPs was associated with subsequent e-cigarette use among this group. Methods: Data were from Waves 4 (2016–2018) and 5 (2018–2019) of the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study survey. Analysis was restricted to participants who were young adult (18–34 years) established, current cigarette smokers who did not use e-cigarettes at Wave 4 (baseline; n = 2, 664; Sample 1), and a subsample of those who tried to quit smoking completely in the past year at Wave 5 (follow-up; n = 948; Sample 2). Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine associations between receiving EPPs at baseline and past year use of e-cigarettes in general (Sample 1) and to help quit smoking (Sample 2) at follow-up, controlling for covariates. Results: Overall, 4.1% and 4.9% of Sample 1 and 2 participants received EPPs, respectively; At follow-up, 33.4% of Sample 1 participants used e-cigarettes, and 12.0% of Sample 2 participants used e-cigarettes to quit smoking. Receiving EPPs was associated with subsequent past-year e-cigarette use in general (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.31 to 3.27), and past-year e-cigarette use to help with quitting smoking (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI = 1.48 to 6.90). Discussion: EPPs may increase e-cigarette use among established, current smokers and may be used to quit smoking. Research is needed to understand how EPPs may be differentially associated with complete product transition versus dual/poly use among young adult smokers.